Leukemia survivor creates holiday card

November 14, 2008 - 7:07 PM

Courtesy Phoenix Children's Hospital
Adam Isaiah Garay, of Glendale, 7, created this holiday card that represents the things that remind him of what he missed last Christmas when he was confined to his room, preparing for and recovering from a bone marrow transplant.

Phoenix Children's Hospital has announced the patient artists and their holiday card designs for the 2008 Art Project, supporting the Hospital's Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. This is the 22nd anniversary for the card project.

Adam Isaiah Garay, 7, of Glendale, is one of four patients honored.

Adam created a holiday card that represents the things that remind him of what he missed last Christmas when he was confined to his room, preparing for and recovering from a bone marrow transplant. He drew a hat because he didn't have hair and snowman because he would dream of playing in the snow. The snow globe represents an actual one he had in his room as he waited out those long months until he recovered.

Adam was diagnosed at 5 with leukemia.

Today, he's back to doing the things he loves, like eating hamburgers and pizza, drawing, playing Wii, and rooting for his favorite team, the Arizona Diamondbacks.

His parents, Adam and Connie, said their son handled having cancer all better than they did.

The only thing Adam complained about were the daily shots his parents needed to give him as he prepared for transplant. Even then, he would comfort his mom and dad by telling them that the shots weren't their fault. "He's a super kid and has the best attitude in the world," says his dad.