Capital District Times

In December 2022, Evin Donohue from East Greenbush experienced severe illness just before Christmas. Initially believed to be suffering from a sinus infection and stomach virus, his condition did not improve, prompting concern from his mother, Kristin. "I felt confused and didn’t know what was happening," Evin recalled.

Kristin noticed her son’s pale appearance and inability to move from the couch. She expressed her worries to her husband Ed, stating, “Something is really wrong with Evin. I think we need to take him to the emergency room.” Following advice from medical friends, they went to the Massry Family Children’s Emergency Center at Bernard & Millie Duker Children’s Hospital.

Ed recounted their experience: “They started doing tests, and we had a feeling it wasn’t good. It felt like getting hit with a baseball bat.” Evin's high white blood cell count led to his admission into the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), where he faced several critical health issues.

On Christmas Eve morning, Evin was diagnosed with high-risk T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Due to his critical state, chemotherapy began immediately alongside procedures to manage his white blood cell count.

Evin spent a week in PICU before moving to the children’s hospital inpatient unit for 28 days. Pediatric oncologist Lauren Weintraub assured the family that treatment could continue at Albany Medical Center's Melodies Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders. Kristin said Dr. Weintraub's confidence provided comfort during this challenging time.

The family chose treatment at Melodies due to its proximity and their need for familial support. Ed commented on their experience: “We knew the Melodies Center was there, but we didn’t grasp what they were capable of doing.”

The center became integral to their lives, providing care that made Evin feel normal despite his circumstances. He fondly remembers activities like nerf gun fights with staff and playing catch with members of the Premiere Lacrosse League during hospital visits.

Now 13 years old and in seventh grade at La Salle Institute, Evin is focused on regaining strength for lacrosse and hockey. His prognosis is positive after completing medication aimed at reducing cancer recurrence risks. Kristin noted, “He’s just getting back to being himself.”

Reflecting on his journey, Evin aspires to enter the medical field someday: “This experience changed me and my family a lot,” he said. “It made me more grateful for everything around me.”