Ripken was named after a legendary baseball player known for being a man of high character and playing through aches and pain. During his playing days, he earned the nickname Iron Horse for setting baseball’s record for consecutive games played.
At three years old, Ripken was the embodiment of energy, joy, and the tenacity of his namesake. He was never moody or whiny. When his demeanor changed that summer weekend at the lake, his mother, Hannah, knew something was wrong.
Instead of running and playing with friends, Ripken just wanted to be held. He also had severe bruising that Hannah didn’t feel was a result of normal activities. When she took him to the doctor for what she thought might be an iron deficiency, his hemoglobin came back critically low, and his doctor sent them to the emergency room.
On July 31, 2024, Ripken was officially diagnosed with leukemia. Hannah’s instincts had caught it early, but that didn’t make the diagnosis any less devastating for his family. That’s when CURE stepped in. Their first interaction came through meals in the hospital, a simple gesture that helped lift spirits during the darkest days. But CURE’s impact went far beyond food. They became a constant presence, always around to offer a listening ear or a comforting hug exactly when Hannah needed it most.
“CURE has been an amazing organization to help us get through the worst time in our lives,” Hannah reflects.
Through it all, Ripken has been a trooper. Though his chemotherapy sometimes makes him moody, he’s responded well to treatment. A compromised immune system forced him to stay at home for a year. But now he is back in daycare, staying healthy, and already swinging at baseballs and golf balls in the yard.
Just like the Iron Horse whose name he carries, Ripken shows what it means to live through pain with grace, grit, and an unbreakable spirit.
Now nearing the completion of their own two years of service with CURE Crew, both boys have become standout leaders within the program. Max and Joe Joe served as Senior Crew Leaders this year, helping guide younger members while continuing to volunteer at CURE events throughout the community.
Her world changed on May 29, 2016, when Addy was just 3½ years old. She was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia, but not the most common and treatable type. The overall survival rate for childhood ALL is approximately 90%. But testing revealed that her leukemia was Philadelphia chromosome positive. This rare and aggressive variant required an intense, prolonged treatment plan and carried a much worse prognosis.
Addy’s time here was far too brief, but her impact is immeasurable. In her honor, her family established Addy’s Army Fund at CURE. The fund advances childhood cancer research with a focus on innovative treatments – like precision medicine and immunotherapies that are more effective and less damaging to growing bodies. It also supports quality-of-life programs for children in treatment, resources for siblings silently affected by a loved one’s diagnosis, and bereavement support for grieving families.
“She didn’t suffer from too many side effects until she reached the long-term maintenance phase, which is supposed to be easier,” said Stacy. “She had more hospital stays and a lung infection that was difficult to treat. Going on our wish trip changed everything for her.”
