The Fanconi Cancer Foundation (FCF) and the American Cancer Society (ACS) have opened the 2026 application cycle for the ACS-Fanconi Cancer Foundation Discovery Boost Grant.

Through this partnership, FCF and ACS are inviting proposals for translational cancer research that addresses the unique challenges faced by people with Fanconi anemia (FA). The grant is designed to advance promising ideas with the potential to improve how cancers in people with FA are detected, prevented or treated.

Scientific scope

Proposed research must be directly applicable to FA-associated cancers, particularly cancers influenced by defects in the FA/BRCA DNA repair pathway. Applications should clearly explain how the work could advance FA cancer research and ultimately benefit people with FA.

Applications are welcome from established FA investigators as well as researchers in related areas of cancer biology who want to apply their expertise to FA. Researchers who are new to the field should demonstrate a clear connection between their proposed work and the grant’s priorities.

Areas of interest include, but aren’t limited to:

• Early detection technologies and biomarkers for FA-related squamous cell carcinomas
• Mechanisms or interventions to prevent FA-related tumors
• Therapeutic strategies tailored to the sensitivity of people with FA to DNA-damaging agents
• New models for studying FA tumor development and treatment response
• High-throughput or systems biology approaches to identify cancer vulnerabilities specific to FA

Preference will be given to projects with a clear path toward clinical application, including collaborations with clinicians, diagnostic developers or pharmaceutical partners.

Both new applications and resubmissions from the previous application cycle will be accepted.

Eligibility

Applicants typically must:

• Work at a U.S. academic institution or eligible nonprofit organization
• Be an independent investigator at any career stage
• Hold a full-time faculty appointment or equivalent position

Applicants should review the complete grant policies and instructions before applying. Applications that don’t align with the scientific scope of the funding opportunity will be returned without review.

Term and budget

Awards provide up to $135,000 in direct costs per year for up to two years, plus 10% in indirect costs. The maximum allowable budget is $297,000 for a two-year project.

Key dates

• Application deadline: Dec. 1, 2026
• Application review: March 2027
• Anticipated award notification: August 2027
• Anticipated grant start date: Oct. 1, 2027

Why this matters

People with FA face an extraordinarily high risk of cancer and can be especially vulnerable to the effects of standard cancer treatments. Progress requires research designed around their specific biology and medical needs.

This partnership combines FCF’s deep knowledge of FA research and community priorities with ACS’s scientific reach and grant-review infrastructure. It also creates an opportunity to bring new investigators and approaches into the FA field while advancing research with a clear path toward better cancer care.

Learn more and apply

Applications are now open. Researchers can review the complete funding opportunity, eligibility requirements, policies and application instructions on the American Cancer Society website.

Questions about the grant may be directed to Doug Hurst, PhD, at doug.hurst@cancer.org.

The post FCF and American Cancer Society Open 2026 Discovery Boost Grant for FA Cancer Research appeared first on Fanconi Cancer Foundation.

Research progress is often described through its most visible moments: a published finding, a clinical trial or a new treatment. But those moments depend on years of less-visible work: researchers must gather evidence, develop the right tools, test promising ideas and determine what is safe before a new approach can reach people.

For those affected by Fanconi anemia, this groundwork is especially important. People with FA face an extraordinarily high risk of cancer and can be particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of standard treatments.

Three recent FCF investments show how laboratory research and clinical experience work together to enable us to pursue better options.

Exploring whether gene therapy could prevent oral cancer

People with FA face a substantially increased risk of head and neck cancer, particularly cancer in the mouth. Researchers are asking whether gene therapy might one day help reduce that risk before cancer develops.

With FCF support, Markus Grompe and his team at Oregon Health & Science University are testing this idea in FA mouse models. The researchers are studying whether gene therapy can be delivered to tissues lining the mouth and evaluating its safety and potential effectiveness.

This work is preclinical, meaning more laboratory research will be needed before researchers can determine whether this approach should advance toward study in people.

Identifying drugs that may be safer for people with FA

Cancer prevention and treatment both present a central challenge in FA: A drug must not only work against cancer, but also be safe for people with underlying DNA-repair vulnerabilities.

Markus Grompe and Craig Dorrell at Oregon Health & Science University are testing potential cancer-prevention compounds and screening chemotherapy drugs in FA mouse models.

The goal is to build a stronger body of evidence about which compounds may prevent or treat cancer without causing unacceptable harm in FA. This research is also preclinical, with the idea that it will help researchers prioritize the most promising approaches for further study.

Turning shared clinical experience into evidence

Because FA-associated cancers are rare, important information can remain scattered across individual cases and institutions. FCF’s Virtual Tumor Board brings clinicians and researchers together to discuss complex cancer cases and share their expertise.

Now, FCF is funding Agata Smogorzewska and Tamar Berger at The Rockefeller University to take the next step: gathering and analyzing medical information from individuals whose cases were presented through the Virtual Tumor Board.

Many individuals and families have already consented to participate, and information has been shared with the research team for analysis. The project is expected to produce two scientific publications, including the first published analysis of a range of FA-associated cancers discussed through an FA-specific tumor board.

This work will provide the first comprehensive analysis of FA-associated cancers presented through a virtual tumor board housed outside an academic institution. The findings will give clinicians and researchers valuable information about the diagnosis, treatment and outcomes of FA-associated cancers and help influence future cancer care guidance.

Connecting research at every stage

Each project addresses a different part of the same urgent challenge:

• Testing whether oral gene therapy could reduce cancer risk
• Screening prevention and treatment drugs for effectiveness and FA-specific safety
• Turning clinical experience into evidence the field can use

Together, they show why laboratory and clinical research can’t happen in isolation. Questions and experiences from cancer care can help guide research priorities, while laboratory studies can identify approaches that may eventually warrant further clinical investigation.

Across these three projects, FCF has committed $631,164. This is what sustained research investment makes possible: connecting work across different stages so that evidence, tools and promising ideas can continue moving toward safer cancer care.

The post Building the Evidence for Safer Cancer Care in FA appeared first on Fanconi Cancer Foundation.

Living with Fanconi anemia, or caring for someone with FA, brings ongoing uncertainty, complex medical experiences and emotional strain. These experiences affect more than physical health. They can also shape mental health, relationships, daily routines and a person’s sense of safety and connection.

The Fanconi Cancer Foundation is pleased to introduce the Mental Health and Wellbeing Toolkit, a new resource offering practical tools and trusted guidance for people living with FA and those who care for them.

Why this resource matters

Research is helping us better understand the mental health experiences of adults with FA. Nearly half of adults who participated in one recent study screened positive for symptoms of post-traumatic stress. Many also reported symptoms of anxiety and depression, along with fatigue, sleep disturbance, chronic pain and unmet mental health needs.

Caregivers and care partners may also carry significant emotional strain as they navigate complex care, repeated medical stress and uncertainty about the future.

These experiences can feel isolating, but no one should have to navigate them alone. Mental health support is an important part of caring for the whole person and the people who support them.

Practical tools for real-life needs

Developed in partnership with Give an Hour, the toolkit brings together research-informed guidance, community perspectives and exercises that can be used during everyday stress as well as more difficult moments.

The toolkit includes resources to help individuals and caregivers:

• Recognize signs of emotional distress
• Practice self-compassion and manageable forms of self-care
• Navigate isolation, grief and uncertainty
• Identify and strengthen support systems
• Talk with children about mental health
• Prepare for emotional or medical crises
• Find a mental health professional who understands trauma and medical complexity
• Explain FA-related experiences and care needs to a provider

The toolkit also includes worksheets that can be completed, printed or shared, including an emotions tracker, support system map, crisis response plan and mental health storyboards for individuals with FA and caregivers.

For moments when everything feels overwhelming, the toolkit begins with a simple PACE exercise: pause, act on one simple step, connect, engage in self-care and engage in extra support.

Use the toolkit in the way that works for you

You don’t need to read the toolkit from beginning to end. You might begin with one exercise, return to a section during a challenging time or share a provider resource with a counselor or member of your care team.

The toolkit is grounded in choice, pacing and safety. Some topics may bring up strong emotions, and it’s OK to pause, skip a section or reach out for support.

FCF advocates Erica Williams and Faith Barbe provided feedback to help ensure the resource reflects the experiences and needs of the FA community. Clinical and research experts also reviewed and contributed information. Finally, we thank partners Give An Hour for providing much of the resources we could adapt to the FA community.

We hope this toolkit helps you feel more prepared, more supported and less alone in whatever you’re carrying.

You can also visit FCF’s mental health webpage to learn about counseling, one-on-one coaching, research and other resources available to the FA community.

This toolkit is an educational and supportive resource. It isn’t a diagnostic tool or a substitute for individualized medical or mental health care. If you’re in the United States and experiencing emotional distress or need immediate support, call or text 988. If you’re outside the U.S., visit FindAHelpline.com.

The post New Mental Health and Wellbeing Toolkit Offers Practical Support for the FA Community appeared first on Fanconi Cancer Foundation.

Our son Blake is 14 years old and eight years post bone marrow transplant. He recently had his long-term follow-up appointments with Seattle Children’s and Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. The news was encouraging. His blood counts continue to look excellent, and all of his blood-forming cells still come from his donor.

While we celebrate these milestones, it’s important to remember that the transplant did not cure his Fanconi anemia. It gave him something incredibly valuable, more time, but FA is still part of his life.

As he gets older, we’re entering a phase when cancer surveillance, especially for oral cancers, becomes critically important. Blake is currently participating in an NIH study using oral swabs designed to detect oral cancers at the earliest stages. For individuals with FA, early detection truly is the best treatment, as many cannot tolerate chemotherapy and radiation the way the general population can.

Preparing for high school

This year, Blake starts high school. Middle school wasn’t easy. Like many kids with FA, Blake is much smaller than his peers, and those differences become even more noticeable during those years. He struggled with confidence and was having a difficult time academically.

Last year, we found an incredible tutor who not only helped him catch up in school but also helped him believe in himself again. He transitioned into general education classes and finished the year with mostly A’s and B’s.

Discovering a passion for fishing

One of the biggest blessings this past year has been watching Blake discover a passion for fishing. He spends hours watching YouTube and Instagram videos, teaching himself new knots, techniques and anything else he can learn. Almost every day, he’s searching for a new pond or small lake to explore.

We’ve been dropping him off at local ponds, where he’ll happily fish for five or six hours, sometimes by himself and sometimes with a friend. This summer, Blake competed in his first youth bass fishing tournament, hosted by an amazing local nonprofit whose volunteer captains donate their boats and time to mentor the kids. There were 30 captains and 60 young anglers participating. Blake and his teammate finished second overall, and we couldn’t have been prouder.

As a parent of a child with FA, it’s incredibly hard to watch your child struggle with things that come more easily to others, whether it’s sports, school or simply feeling like they fit in. Fishing has given Blake something that FA never could: confidence, purpose and a place where he truly shines.

I’m definitely not much of a fisherman myself, and honestly, it’s not my favorite hobby. But I absolutely love hearing him tease me after he catches 15 fish while I catch … zero. Yes, that actually happened.

More than anything, I love seeing him find something that brings him genuine joy.

Healthy doesn’t mean cured

We are incredibly thankful that Blake remains healthy. But healthy doesn’t mean cured. Fanconi anemia is always there, quietly in the background.

While life may look normal from the outside, the reality is that we know Blake’s journey will almost certainly become more complicated over time. Recently, we’ve watched several FA families lose children and loved ones. Those reminders are heartbreaking and bring us back to the reality of this disease.

We also recently attended the FA Family Retreat at The Painted Turtle in California. It was wonderful to reconnect with old friends and meet new families who truly understand this journey. One of the highlights was watching Blake find a group of boys his age who love to fish, play baseball and simply be normal teenagers together. Those connections are priceless.

Thank you to everyone who has continued to support Blake and our family over the years. Your prayers, encouragement and kindness have meant more than you’ll ever know.

We continue to celebrate every milestone, cherish every season and remain hopeful for the future while supporting the ongoing search for better treatments and, one day, a cure for Fanconi anemia.

The post Finding Confidence and Joy as a Teen With FA  appeared first on Fanconi Cancer Foundation.

When I was 20 weeks pregnant, my doctor recommended an amniocentesis so we could find out what was causing concerns during my pregnancy. They took amniotic fluid for testing, and that’s when my husband and I learned our daughter had a rare genetic disorder called Fanconi anemia (FA). We found out that we were both carriers, something we had never known.

We didn’t know what to think.

As my pregnancy continued, we learned more about FA from our doctors, but we tried not to spend too much time looking online. We wanted to take things one step at a time and discover what Luna’s journey would look like.

Luna was born on May 15, 2025, at 37 weeks, weighing just 4 pounds. At only 3 days old, she had surgery, and we spent a month and a half in the NICU.

During that time, I felt like we were all learning together. I cried all the time because I was so upset, but at the same time I felt so blessed. I blamed myself and felt like I was on a roller coaster. But as I watched how strong my beautiful baby girl was, she helped me become stronger too. She gave me the courage to learn, understand, and do everything we needed to do for her.

Learning From Luna Every Day

Luna is now 1 year old, and she has taught my husband and me that the sky is the limit.

She has been such a light in our lives. She is happy, beautiful, silly, and loves to sing and play.

We’ve learned that Luna has no radial bone in either arm, no thumbs, a horseshoe-shaped kidney, a spiked spleen, and a malformed left ear with no ear canal. She sees many different specialists, and now visits hematology twice a year while we do everything we can to keep her healthy.

It isn’t always easy, but Luna makes it so much easier to keep going, keep learning, and live life to the fullest.

Taking One Appointment at a Time

Honestly, every doctor’s appointment has been a defining moment in our journey.

In addition to hematology, Luna sees orthopedic doctors, eye doctors, hormone doctors, kidney doctors, an ear doctor, a nutrition doctor, and more. Every time we went to an appointment, we were so nervous about the results or what we might learn next.

Eventually, we realized we needed to be strong for her and focus on every positive thought we could.

Then, at one of her liver appointments, we got good news. They told us she no longer needed to be seen because her liver looked fine. They may check on it again someday, but for now everything looked good.

That reminded us that not every appointment would bring bad news. Some would bring hope. And no matter what comes, we’ll face it together as a family.

You’re Not Alone

Before Luna, we had never even heard of Fanconi anemia.

I think many people hear the word “anemia” and assume that’s all it is because FA is so rare. There is so much more that comes with it and so much to worry about.

I also want other families to know that they are not alone.

At our children’s hospital, we met a 19-year-old young woman with a different type of anemia who had a few similar physical differences, including her thumbs. Talking with her for just a few minutes helped me more than she’ll ever know. Sometimes knowing someone else understands makes all the difference.

So Much More Than FA

Luna is so much more than her diagnosis.

She’s a happy 1-year-old who loves movies, music, coloring, playing, reading, and learning new things. She has so much positive energy. She’s smart as could be and capable of anything.

She teaches us every single day how blessed we are to have her.

Looking Ahead With Hope

I hope we’ll find a cure or discover ways to make life better for these beautiful FA fighters. They are so strong and go through so much. They deserve every opportunity, and I hope they know how hard everyone is working to make a difference and how deeply they are loved.

To the donors who make research possible:

THANK YOU! Without you, we wouldn’t be able to keep searching for cures or help the FA community come as far as it has. Your support gives families like mine hope for the future.

The post The Sky Is the Limit appeared first on Fanconi Cancer Foundation.

For five days this June, families affected by Fanconi anemia gathered at The Painted Turtle in Lake Hughes, California for something both simple and meaningful: time with people who get it.

Held June 20-24, the 2026 Fanconi Cancer Foundation Family Retreat welcomed 50 members of the FA community from the United States, Vietnam and the United Kingdom, including five families who attended for the first time.

The retreat offers families a break from appointments, treatment decisions and everyday responsibilities. Children can try new activities and grow in confidence while caregivers learn, share practical support and connect with one another. The relationships formed at camp often continue long after everyone goes home.

Friendships New and Old

Throughout the weekend, new friendships formed naturally. One especially touching moment came when 8-year-old Ori connected with 9-year-old Logan. Logan walked up to Ori, gave him a hug and told him how glad he was that they had become friends.

For the many preteens and teenagers at this year’s retreat, camp offered a rare opportunity to spend time with peers who share some of their experiences without FA having to be the center of every conversation. They fished, played, laughed and got to be themselves.

One family described what that meant for their 14-year-old son, Blake:

“It was wonderful reconnecting with old friends and meeting new families who truly understand this journey. One of the highlights was watching Blake find a group of teenage boys his age who love to fish, play baseball, and just be normal teenagers together. Those connections are priceless.”

Old friends also picked up where they left off. Several families even made plans to extend their time together and explore Los Angeles after camp.

In the retreat evaluation, families repeatedly identified connection as one of the experience’s greatest benefits. One returning parent shared that both their child with FA and their child without FA formed close friendships.

“The ability to connect with other families is truly amazing, and in a rare disease that can feel isolating, that sense of community is truly invaluable.”

Confidence, Joy and New Experiences

Sometimes, the impact of camp appears in small but important moments.

Staff watched 17-year-old Eli become more engaged in activities and with the people around him as the weekend unfolded. He came out of his shell and even initiated hugs with his parents, something they said he doesn’t usually do. His experience showed how a special environment can help children build trust, try something new and grow in confidence.

There was plenty of joy, too. During the talent show, 11-year-old Nhi captivated the room with her piano playing. The show is always a highlight because it gives children and adults the chance to share what they love while their community cheers them on.

Learning From Professionals and One Another

Alongside camp activities, families attended educational sessions about nutrition, insurance, research, treatment and other aspects of life with FA. Participants valued the opportunity to hear from professionals, ask questions and take home information they could use.

A first-time attendee from Vietnam described the program as scientifically valuable while still being understandable for families. For her, the combination of medical education and community made the long trip worthwhile.

The retreat also created space for honest conversation. In caregiver support groups, family members exchanged coping strategies and learned from one another’s experiences. One parent called the sessions “a warm, supportive environment” where families could openly share their experiences, challenges and hopes. Another said the conversations strengthened their confidence in caring for their child.

These discussions can reduce isolation and give families ideas they can use when they return home. They also build a network people can turn to during difficult moments, important decisions and everyday life.

What Support Makes Possible

The Family Retreat is one way FCF supports families beyond the research we fund. It creates opportunities for belonging, education, confidence and respite for people living with a rare and complex condition.

This year’s retreat was made possible through the generosity of the Rice family and many other donors and partners who believe in the importance of bringing the FA community together. Their support helps families travel to camp, participate in meaningful programming and spend four days surrounded by people who understand.

The impact could be seen throughout the retreat: a first-time family finding their place, a teenager meeting friends who share his interests, a child stepping forward with new confidence and families traveling across countries to be together.

We are grateful to every family, staff member, volunteer, donor and partner who helped make the retreat possible, and to The Painted Turtle for providing a place where the FA community could connect, grow and belong.

The post A Place to Connect, Grow and Belong appeared first on Fanconi Cancer Foundation.

When my daughter Agustina was 2 and a half years old, our lives changed forever.

It was very difficult to reach a diagnosis. And when we finally received it, it was devastating.

We found ourselves in a desert.

The first thing we were told was that there was no cure. Then they told us our daughter would not live past the age of 6. It was one of the hardest blows our family has ever faced. No one could really explain what Fanconi anemia was. We only knew it was a rare disease, and that our little girl had very little time.

But Agustina had other plans.

She lived until she was 8 years old, defying everything that was against her. She fought tirelessly to live. She went through a bone marrow transplant, long hospitalizations, infections, medications, and countless blood and platelet transfusions.

Through it all, she never stopped being herself.

Agustina was a very happy and deeply loved little girl who always had a smile on her face. She was an actress, a singer, and a dancer. She dreamed of becoming a veterinarian because she loved animals so much. She loved visiting the farm, putting on makeup, listening to music, riding her bicycle with her dad, and living, simply living.

Living with Fanconi anemia is incredibly difficult for children and their families. They endure long, painful hospital stays and countless medical procedures. Every person with FA is different, but they all deserve the chance to live full lives.

That is why we need a real cure.

We also need more people to understand what families affected by FA go through every day. Greater awareness brings understanding, and understanding helps move us closer to better care, more research, and ultimately a cure.

My beautiful little girl, Agustina, passed away on July 30, 2024, at 6:10 p.m.

Today, I continue to honor her by carrying her legacy forward.

I am the founder and director of the Argentine Fanconi Anemia Group, an organization I created after Agustina’s diagnosis to raise awareness, make FA more visible, and support other families facing this disease. Today I continue this work from a different place, learning to live with endless grief while creating positive spaces of support and comfort for others.

To the donors who make research possible, thank you.

Thank you for your support. Thank you for helping our children have a better quality of life and for bringing us closer to the day when there is a real cure.

And to the Fanconi Cancer Foundation, thank you for always standing beside my family. Thank you for teaching us about this disease, for creating a global community that connects families across so many countries, for continuing to invest in research and support organizations around the world, and above all, for creating a place where we can remember the people with FA who are no longer with us.

Thank you for keeping their memory alive.

Agustina’s memory lives on in every family supported, every conversation that raises awareness, and every step toward the cure she deserved.

The post Why We Need a Real Cure  appeared first on Fanconi Cancer Foundation.

At the Fanconi Cancer Foundation, we work together to improve the lives of individuals and families impacted by Fanconi anemia. While creating brighter futures continues to motivate our community, we also recognize the importance of honoring and remembering those we’ve lost to FA and its complications.

Today, many across the FA community are grieving alongside the family and loved ones of Isaac Coleman. Isaac’s life, and the lives of so many others affected by FA, are a reminder of why this work matters so deeply. We are honored to include Isaac on the Memorial Wall alongside the many cherished individuals whose memories continue to inspire this community forward.

Grief takes many forms, and there is no single way to remember. We believe every life touched by FA deserves to be honored, and that no one should have to carry their love or grief alone.

Every life remembered here mattered deeply — and always will.

Explore the opportunities and resources offered to our Bereaved Families

As Bereaved Parents Awareness Month approaches this July, we invite you to visit our Memorial Wall to remember and celebrate those we’ve lost. If and when it feels right, we also invite families and loved ones to add a name, photo, and short tribute in honor of someone special.

Add a Loved One to the Memorial Wall

We are also welcoming story submissions for our blog. If you would like to share more about your loved one’s life, the impact they made, or what remembrance means to you, we would be honored to hear from you.

Share a Story with Our Community

Throughout July, we will to continue sharing the Memorial Wall and selected stories with the wider FA community. The Memorial Wall will remain on our website as a permanent space for remembrance. Your loved one will always be part of this community, and so will you.

Whether you choose to share a story, submit a tribute, or simply visit the Memorial Wall to honor these incredible individuals and their memory, thank you for being part of the FA community.

With compassion,
The FCF Team

The post The FA Memorial Wall: A Space to Remember appeared first on Fanconi Cancer Foundation.

They call themselves the “FAmily,” and that really is what they are. Everyone in the group communicates regularly and is there to share what they know.

Not only are the Fanconi Cancer Foundation and the families involved supportive, but they also spearhead fundraising efforts that have helped launch many of the trials advancing treatment and care for people living with FA and associated cancers.

Our daughter, Ryan, was part of one such trial at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford in the fall of 2023. At age 7, she underwent a stem cell transplant due to bone marrow failure as part of this trial, which replaced radiation or a risky chemotherapy drug with an antibody called JSP-191. People with FA are extremely sensitive to radiation, and exposure to these treatments can be very risky. This gentler approach helped make stem cell transplants safer and more successful for Ryan and these patients.

Fast forward to today, Ryan will be 10 years old this October, and she is a happy and healthy kid. Her transplant was a success, and so was the trial.

Bone marrow failure is just one aspect of FA. It is a lifelong condition with many other health challenges that can arise throughout life. FCF continues to support research and fund groundbreaking cancer therapies. This research not only helps the Fanconi community but also contributes to advances in cancer treatment worldwide.

Our family owes a great debt of gratitude to the FCF for their continuous and unwavering commitment to rare diseases that otherwise might not have a voice. The future looks very bright for our “FAmily.”

The post Ryan’s Story: The Impact of Research, Support, and Community appeared first on Fanconi Cancer Foundation.

Liam’s story began before he was even born. During my pregnancy, there were early signs that something wasn’t quite right. He wasn’t growing at the same rate as other babies, but there wasn’t much information to explain why.

At 37 weeks, during a visit with our high-risk OB-GYN, we learned there was a malformation in Liam’s upper GI. That moment changed everything. It was the beginning of a journey we could not have anticipated. Thanks to the incredible genetics team at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, further testing led us to a diagnosis. Without their expertise and care, we may not have had answers. We are deeply grateful for them.

Liam was diagnosed with Fanconi anemia at birth. From the start, we were told to expect significant challenges. At one point, we were told that Liam might not be able to walk, crawl, or speak. Hearing that as a parent is overwhelming.

But Liam has shown us something different.

He has overcome those expectations, one step at a time.

Today, Liam is a happy toddler who loves to smile and laugh. He especially loves cars. He enjoys watching them, playing with them, and being around anything with wheels. Like any young child, he is full of curiosity and joy.

For our family, living with FA means living with faith. We see Liam as a normal, healthy child who continues to grow and surprise us. At the same time, we know there are real challenges. It can be frustrating when not many physicians have experience caring for individuals with FA. We wish there were more awareness and understanding of this condition, both in the medical community and beyond.

What we hope for most is more information. More knowledge can lead to better care, better support, and more possibilities for children like Liam.

To those who support research and make this work possible, thank you. Your generosity helps families like ours feel seen and supported. It helps create a future where children like Liam have more options and more hope.

Liam is more than a diagnosis. He is resilient, joyful, and full of life. And we are proud of everything he has already achieved.

The post Living with Faith and Possibility appeared first on Fanconi Cancer Foundation.