277: Resilience and Remission: Piper's Journey Through Childhood Leukemia

Throughout the month of November, we will be releasing Friday episodes sharing the personal stories of families affected by Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in coordination with our “Be Their Hero” event that raises awareness for LLS.  Join Devan Kline as he interviews Ashley Wiggs and her daughter, Piper, who received a diagnosis with B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on September 21st, 2021.  Piper Wiggs is a blood cancer survivor from Gastonia, NC. She is supported by her amazing mom Ashley, dad, Rhys, and big brother, Morgan. From a young age, Piper has been followed closely by immunologists due to her congenital combined immunodeficiency. In January of 2021, her white blood cell counts started to progressively trend down and in September 2021 her neutrophil counts dropped dramatically. The doctors shared that further testing was required to determine if Piper would be diagnosed with Neutropenia.  A bone marrow biopsy was done to rule out cancer so that Piper could be  started on Neupogen to battle Neutropenia. However, to her family's shock and dismay, Piper was diagnosed with B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on September 21, 2021.  The theoretical outcome of the first phase of Leukemia treatment, induction, is that the patient will be in remission by the end of the first month of treatment. Unfortunately, Piper did not have those results and still had cancer cells in her bone marrow biopsy. This resulted in her second phase of treatment, consolidation, being twice as long and harsher.  After another bone marrow biopsy in January 2022, her family was told the incredible news that Piper had FINALLY reached remission and could continue with the treatment roadmap without any more detours! As of today, Piper has been in remission for over a year!  Ashley shares “I’m grateful to read her bedtime stories at home instead of in a hospital room” & we are grateful for every donation made to LLS that helps make it possible for kids to live more life at home with their families where they belong.  Click the link below to donate today and join us on Giving Tuesday on November 28th at participating Burn Boot Camp locations for our Be Their Hero Camp.  Donate Today: https://pages.lls.org/ltn/2023/burnbootcamp