Jack Pimmel

Jack was born on June 13th, 2014. He was our beautiful baby boy, our serious little dude and angry leprechaun. His sister was so obsessed with her little brother and would frequently perform her "baby Jack" dance.

I took Jack to the pediatrician on Tuesday, July 1st to have his distended belly examined. Joe and I both thought it was typical baby gas. The pediatrician sent Jack to Children's Hospital to have an ultrasound, which showed a excessive fluid in his abdomen and enlarged organs. He was sent to the ER for preliminary testing and admitted to the hospital that evening. Two days later on Thursday, July3rd, 2014, we were given news that would change our lives forever. Jack had Leukemia. We later came to find out that only 150-160 infants a year are diagnosed with Leukemia in the US.

The following Tuesday, the diagnosis was finalized as M7 AML leukemia. This is a very rare type of AML (it is more commonly found in children with Down syndrome) and has a lower survival rate than most other infant and childhood leukemias. Jack would likely have needed a bone marrow transplant. His sister Molly unfortunately was not his match.  Jack spent most of his hospital stay in the PICU because of respiratory issues. He completed one round of high dose chemotherapy, which did result in remission, but he suffered extensive complications from the treatment. He passed on July 29th, 2014. We miss our little angel so very much.

Thank you to all our family and friends who are supporting us through this incredibly difficult time. We do not know what we would do without everyone!