Discus Awards

If you want to read more about Kelly's experience, read her journal on her CaringBridge.

Hello everyone! I hope that your holidays have brought you peace, love, and happiness!

When I was diagnosed on June 24th, 2008 with Severe Aplastic Anemia my life completely changed. I was going to be a freshman in high school, one of the most exciting times of a person’s life! Severe Aplastic Anemia is a very rare blood-related disorder which is NOT cancer. My body still produced healthy cells, but the disease didn’t make enough cells in my bone marrow so I eventually would have run out and died.

Luckily, I had a ton of family and friends supporting me every step of the way, so I didn’t have to go through it alone. It was heartbreaking news to everyone around me and my family and I were devastated. I couldn’t stop talking about finally going to the same school as my sister! My school was very cooperative and sent homebound tutors; but I, with the help of my mom, taught myself all of my classes. I didn’t feel sorry for myself and flaunt this hardship around for pity because I am an extremely strong individual. I realized that God only gives the hardships to people he knows can handle and push through them. Boy did he choose an excellent person! I not only have been in remission for three years, my body responded to all the medicine without any major side effects!

...continue reading

Filed under: Kelly Eastman • All-Around High School Students • Meet the Discus Winner