April 28th will mark the 3rd year anniversary of my daughter, Haley's, ITP diagnosis.  Haley, just shy of 16 years old at the time, platelets were critically low for months while her Hematologist tried to find a treatment that she would respond to.  When he finally found one he felt would work, we discovered that the treatment was not covered by the Government or our private drug plans.  Like Luca, Haley had to wait while we tried to fight for funding.  Already suffering constant bruising and petechiae, nose bleeds, gum bleeds, bleeding from her scalp, and internal "gut" bleeds.....we were terrified that the funding wouldn't come soon enough.  However, our community, family and friends stepped up and walked 6K for Haley to raise the funds needed to begin her treatment!  We are forever grateful to them.  Within a few weeks of starting treatments, 6 months after being diagnosed, Haley's platelets rose to a safe level. Now, 2 1/2 years later, Haley remains on a daily treatment to increase her platelets and let her live a relatively normal life for an almost 19 year old.  Although she no longer plays competitive hockey, which was a huge part of her life, she plays soccer, knowing the signs of low platelets to watch for.  She attends Wilfred Laurier University and is finishing her first year of Kinesiology. 

We are walking for Haley and in memory of Luca and Glen, two young boys who were taken too soon due to ITP. We are Hoping for a Cure, Praying for Strength, and Fighting for a better tomorrow for those living with ITP.  We would be thrilled if you would join us in this fight to raise funds to provide education, research and support to those living with this rare disease.

Thank you!  #ITPfighter