A Family Affair

Sathya Achia Abraham will tell you that her mom, Daisy Achia, is the anchor of her family, the strongest person she knows and her best friend. And that was before her mother was diagnosed with cancer, drawing the family even closer together.

“We do everything together,” says Abraham who is an editor and writer specializing in health and science, and mom to two young, adventurous boys. “We made a pact on New Year’s to run the race in April 2011 for our first time. My mom trained and practiced at her home in Fairfax and I prepared here in Richmond.”

As the two trained and motivated each other’s progress, an unexpected hurdle caused concern. Two months before the race, Daisy, came down with a stubborn cold compounded with a prolonged bout of bronchitis and fatigue. “When she arrived in Richmond for the 10k, I could tell something was not right with her. She has always been so fit and healthy,” said Abraham. “We ended up walking the 10k and finished. Needless to say, she was in a dire state.”

When she returned home to Fairfax, Daisy was extremely fatigued and could barely walk up the stairs. After a doctor and cardiologist visit it became apparent that something wasn’t right. Her doctor called and told her to go to an emergency room immediately. Daisy’s red blood cell count was low enough to easily cause most people a state of coma or a massive heart attack. Within 48 hours, Daisy would be diagnosed and begin treatment for Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Daisy would spend the next few months in and out of a Fairfax hospital enduring a grueling regimen of chemotherapy.

“It was a surreal experience, my whole world came crashing down. Watching a loved one go through the process takes a lot out of you,” said Abraham. “As soon as they said AML, I told my parents they needed to come to Massey.”

After consultation with specialists at Massey and careful deliberation, it was decided that Daisy would undergo a bone marrow transplant. In October of 2011, about five months after her initial diagnosis, the family received the news that an unrelated bone marrow transplant was found for Daisy through the National Marrow Donor Program, “Be the Match.” Daisy and her husband temporarily moved from Fairfax to Richmond to begin the arduous preparation for the transplant, which would ultimately be a success. “She pulled through it with such grace. A year after her transplant and she looked strong and healthy, like herself again,” said Abraham.

It was the weekend of the 2012 race when Daisy was getting ready to move back to Fairfax, that her story came full circle. This time around, Sathya created “Team Daisy” in honor of her mother to support and raise awareness in the HDL, Inc. Massey Challenge. “For me, participating is a way I can direct all of those negative feelings into something positive,” said Abraham.
“My husband and I started the team and began sending update emails to extended family and friends. We received so much support, we were floored. My intent was to raise awareness and to rally around my Mama. The fundraising support we received for Massey was an added bonus.”

Team Daisy participated in the Massey Challenge in 2012 and 2013, and has raised a combined total of more than $6,000 for cancer research at Massey. For the 2013 Massey Challenge, Daisy herself returned to participate as a jogger alongside her family.  “She smiled bright through the entire race. She left all of us in complete awe,” said Abraham. “She is as fierce as ever.”

“Mama instilled in us to be grateful for what we have and to give back to our community,” said Abraham, “As a family we went through a lot during the process and running in support of cancer research is the best way to honor her.”

“There is no way to say thank you to the staff at Massey for saving my Mama,” said Abraham. “I know miracles seem out of reach for so many people, but I just want to let people know that they can happen. My Mama reminds me of this every day.”