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Reece Holbrook’s parents, Jennifer and Chad, noticed the bruises on the legs of Reece, their son. “We thought it might be the bruises of an active two-year old, ” explained Jennifer Holbrook, “but when we saw bruises on his rib cage and small red dots, we took Reece to the pediatrician.” He ran blood tests and suggested that they come to UNC.

Reece Holbrook’s parents, Jennifer and Chad, noticed the bruises on the legs of Reece, their son. “We thought it might be the bruises of an active two-year old, ” explained Jennifer Holbrook, “but when we saw bruises on his rib cage and small red dots, we took Reece to the pediatrician.” He ran blood tests and suggested that they come to UNC.

He was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia on September 7, 2004 by Dr. Stuart Gold and is one year in to a three-year, two-month treatment plan, now in the maintenance phase. He initially spent one week in the hospital and has had two subsequent stays.

The visits to UNC have decreased from once a week to once a month when Reece comes into the pediatric oncology clinic to receive IV chemotherapy. At home, each night, he takes oral chemotherapy medicine, sometimes up to 10 pills a day. And every three months, he has a spinal tap in addition to his usual chemotherapy.

Reece turned 3 in May and is an active child. “He’s always out playing baseball or enjoying sports, a Holbrook family pastime.” His father, Chad, is the UNC-Chapel Hill assistant baseball coach, and his mother, Jennifer, works in the UNC men’s basketball office.

“We have had such great support from the clinical staff at UNC. They make everything as easy as possible for a family going through this experience. We also have wonderful support from our family and friends,” said Jennifer.

“Reece doesn’t seem to know he is sick. He is taking this cancer experience in stride and it doesn’t seem to faze him. He has helped my husband and me so much by having such a positive attitude, taking his medicine and running and playing like most kids his age.” Reece has a baby brother, Cooper, who is 15 months old.