Evan’s Story

Site created on June 2, 2020

UPDATE 6-5-2020: If you wish to donate to the Marra family, please use the gofundme site on the Ways to Help tab.  Tributes do not go directly to the family.   If you wish to send a note of encouragement, please use the Well Wishes button.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-evan-marra-amp-family

Welcome to Evan Marra’s CaringBridge site.  Thank you for being a loved one of the Marra Family. 

Evan was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) on May 29th, 2020 and is currently being treated at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA).  He is under the best of care, surrounded by his Mom’s colleagues who are the best in the business!

As of this writing, Evan is 2 weeks shy of his 10th birthday.  For those who know Evan personally, you would agree that he is a charming and handsome spitfire.  Evan has tons of personality and lots of opinions.  He loves games of all sorts (especially video games), Legos, lizards, and his family.  Evan is a superhero, who believes in justice.  He is a fighter, well suited for the battle ahead. 

Amid a pandemic, and as the Marra family is in the middle of a move to South Bend, Indiana (Home of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish – Beth & Gerard are proud alums) this diagnosis comes at a particularly awful time.  Evan will undergo multiple rounds of chemotherapy over at least the next 6 months, with each round requiring a hospital stay of 6 weeks.  His immune system will be depleted with each round.  The good news is, Evan was able to begin his journey quickly, and began his first round of chemotherapy on June 2nd, 2020. 

It will be a long journey for Evan, and his family who will be relying on your prayers and support as they face this challenge together.  We will be using this site to post updates on Evan’s progress. 

We have already received so much love, support, and words of encouragement. Keep them and your prayers coming!  We are so grateful to have you on our team.

Newest Update

October 14, 2021 - Graduation to Survivorship!

Journal entry by Kate Chaucer —

Here we are, just over a year after Evan's Bone Marrow Transplant and we are sharing some much needed good news!  
 
On September 29th, Evan celebrated 1 year of being "reborn".  He was saved by his loving big sister, Eileen, and given the gift of a new immune system. He suffered and persevered more than many of us ever will.
 
Yesterday, Evan triumphantly graduated to being a SURVIVOR!  With his visit to Lurie Children's Hospital and a perfect set of labs, the Bone Marrow Transplant team discharged Evan and officially transferred him to the Survivorship Program.  This is a huge milestone, and means that Evan will have quarterly blood work locally, but doesn't have to return to Chicago for a check up for 6 months!  
 
On  Evan's 1st Re-Born Day, the Marra family was able to share their joy with Evan's classmates and explain leukemia and bone marrow transplants to a great group of kids.  Maybe someday, one of them will be a donor too, and save a life and a family.  But even more, we hope and pray for more research to prevent this dreaded disease, so that they don't have to.
 
We couldn't be more grateful for all the amazing care Evan received at CHLA, and he continues to receive at Lurie Childrens Hospital. Thank you to all of our families and all friends "by the dozens" for your love, prayers and support.  We won't stop singing praises or shouting for research until all patients have a result like Evan's.
 
We love you Evan & Eileen
Read More of the journal titled "October 14, 2021 - Graduation to Survivorship!"
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