Her friends at Sunnymead Elementary School are sponsoring the drive, to be held from 3 to 8 p.m. Dec. 14.
By: Donna Lukiw
Annie Ryan, a Sunnymead Elementary School first-grader, looks into the camera in a favorite photo her parents have, with a shy smile and blond hair slicked back by water from the pool she’s swimming in.
There’s no evidence of the leukemia she was diagnosed with in July and for which she is currently receiving intense chemotherapy at St. Peter’s Children’s Hospital in New Brunswick.
To help Annie, and to help replenish the blood supply at St. Peter’s University Hospital, her friends at Sunnymead Elementary School are sponsoring a blood drive from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 14 at Sunnymead School.
"It’s a blood drive for the general public at St. Peter’s and for Annie," Andy Ryan, Annie’s father, said. "This is more about supporting the hospital where Annie is."
Mr. Ryan said Annie is currently being treated in an outpatient program at the hospital and has already gone through two phases of chemotherapy.
"She’s in her third phase of chemotherapy now," Mr. Ryan said. "This phase is the most intense and is really going to make her sick. She’ll probably need a blood transfusion."
Mr. Ryan said phase three of the chemotherapy lasts for about 49 days, but the entire treatment takes about two and a half years. Annie has already spent eight days in a hospital undergoing treatment and will continue to make frequent visits to the hospital.
"She been amazing, unbelievable," Mr. Ryan said about Annie. "She’s been really tough. She’s really good about it and we couldn’t be more proud of her."
Mr. Ryan said he and his wife, Michele, have been dealing with Annie’s diagnosis as best as they can and have been keeping busy with three of their other children Jack, 10, Maggie, 8 and Drew, 4.
Mr. Ryan said the family held a fundraiser in Manhattan on Oct. 19 attended by family and friends and raised $10,000 to be used for medical costs not covered by insurance. He also said St. Peter’s Children’s Hospital organizes a cruise for children with cancer and he hopes to take Annie and the family on it.
Mr. Ryan said oncology doctors Lawrence Ettinger and Doug Cipkala and nurse Alice Ettinger have been treating Annie.
During the blood drive, free homework passes will be given to all Sunnymead students whose parents donate blood and a raffle will be held for a gift certificate to a local restaurant for all of the adults who donate blood.
To make an appointment or for additional information, call Lillian at (732) 235-8100, ext. 224. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are recommended.

