Our son Blake is 14 years old and eight years post bone marrow transplant. While we celebrate 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.
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Joyce Owen
Director Emeritus | PhD
Joyce was a dear friend and neighbor of co-founders Lynn and David Frohnmayer; their daughters were playmates. When Kirsten Frohnmayer was diagnosed with FA, they were all devastated. Joyce, a molecular biologist, was able to help interpret information. When the Frohnmayers founded FARF, Joyce was one of the earliest board members. She did the page layout and editing of the FA Family Newsletter for a number of years, and several editions of the Handbook for Families and Guidelines for Clinical Care. She also designed the first FARF website.
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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.
The Family 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.