Dear Sponsor,

 

Less than one year ago, on June 1st 2018, we lost our beautiful son Reid, only 22 years old from a rare and acute form of leukemia. He was diagnosed with (less than 24 hours before)  Acute Promyelocytic Myeloid Leukemia or APML/APL. It is a form of Acute Myeloid Leukemia or AML. He wasn't feeling well the week prior and had "flu like" symptoms. On the morning of May 31st, 2018 we took him to the ER at Merrimack Valley Hospital (now Steward) where we heard for the first time that "we are med flighting you to Boston...you have an infection and we want the best blood doctors to look at you for leukemia". These words changed our lives forever. We arrived at Brigham & Women's Hospital to be met by a team of hematologists and oncologists, who formerly diagnosed Reid with APML. He died the following morning from a plethora of complications stemming from leukemia. 

 

Family and friends of Reid were shocked to learn that he was taken from us so abruptly…that he was living life fully days to weeks prior and that it was the horrible disease of leukemia that destroyed such a wonderful young man. Reid was raised as a young child in the Peabody area, where his love for athletics began. He played hockey, football and soccer there. He continued his education in the Pentucket Regional School District, where he lived in West Newbury/Merrimac. His love for sports grew (Varsity Football & Lacrosse) and he graduated as a division all-star/Agganis All Star, helping his team to the playoffs for football in 2013. He was recruited by 11 different colleges to play college football, but ultimately chose, The University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth. Reid’s motto was “Family, God & Football”, which we have used to guide us in creating his foundation. Reid had a kind, humble & generous, spirit and all who knew him agreed he was a “Gentle Giant”. He was always there to help anyone in need and had such a giving heart. He looked for opportunities to do random acts of kindness…this is simply who he was.

I vowed to Reid on the morning he passed that something very special and meaningful would happen because of his death to honor his short but amazing life...

This was the birth of Reid's Rebels...a rebellion against leukemia and a commitment to create awareness for the warning signs that point to leukemia, both emotional & financial assistance for other families navigating treatment for leukemia and eventually being able to help fund research at Dana Farber Cancer Institute and or The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. 

 

Current 2018 statistics show that there are 4 main types of leukemia, that 55+ years of age are most commonly affected by leukemia, that the #1 most common cancer in children is leukemia less than 15 years old, and that there are 440,000 newly diagnosed patients globally each year. (Cancer Research Institute)

 

We have much work to do for both young and old!

 

The Reid Landry Garrant Foundation INC, has been established as a Massachusetts, 501(c)(3), non-profit, charitable corporation. EIN: 83-1869995

 

We thank you in advance for your generous donation!

 

 

Love & Appreciation,

Reid’s Family & Friends

DONATIONS CAN BE SENT TO: RLG Foundation in care of Paula Garrant, 20 Berry Street, Unit 2110, North Andover, Ma 01845 / Contact: 978-308-9752 or paula@reidsrebels.com