12-year-old Abel from the Big Island of Hawaii has been bravely battling Acute Myeloid Leukemia since April 2022. After weeks of illness and misdiagnoses, Abel was medevacked from Kona to Oahu, where his diagnosis was confirmed. He spent three months in the hospital before traveling to City of Hope Hospital in Los Angeles for a bone marrow transplant from his 3-year-old brother, Milo.
Following five months in L.A., Abel was declared in remission and returned home, continuing treatment with daily medication and monthly trips to Oahu. In August 2024, Abel relapsed, and his family has since been traveling back and forth from Kona to Oahu, preparing for a second transplant in Los Angeles.
To help support the family through this difficult time, they were awarded a TRF Signature Grant, allowing them to stay by Abel’s side throughout his journey. The Walkers' strength, love, courage are an inspiration to us all.