Tris Sokolowski

Age: 6

Brentwood, Tennessee

Diagnosis: Hodgkins Lymphoma

Tris was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and he and his twin sister, Cora, joined their brother, James, in Nashville through adoption where he overcame life
threatening malnutrition all by the age of 3. Tris grew into a happy, healthy, energetic little boy, but in March of 2018 Tris started having very high intermittent fevers. Suddenly a large mass appeared overnight on his neck and on his sixth birthday Tris was diagnosed with Stage 3b Hodgkins Lymphoma. An 11 cm cancerous tumor encompassed his entire lymphatic system, as well as his spleen and his liver. Six days after his birthday he began treatment which included six cycles of inpatient and outpatient chemo. Each lasted four weeks. When time came to plan for radiation, the team of physicians were able to provide the miraculous news that Tris was in remission, and no radiation would be necessary.

Tris spent his summer in treatment, going to the pool as soon as he was released from inpatient stays, then kept up with school and played flag football in the fall all while
finishing his treatment. Tris truly taught those that know him what strength looks like.

Arlie Wolfe

Age: 4

Smyrna, Tennessee

Diagnosis: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

June 8, 2015 life for the Wolfe family was forever changed. Arlie had been in the hospital sick for over a week with seemingly no answers. After a seizure and multiple
negative test results, the doctors did a bone marrow biopsy. Within just a few hours two doctors came in to deliver news no parent wants to hear. Your child has cancer. Pre B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. After the diagnosis, they were taken to the 6th floor at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital where Arlie began her first round of chemotherapy. She went through the standard protocol and was declared in remission.

And then January 2018 life stopped again. Relapse. Another fight. This time Arlie was placed in a trial study and it successfully put the cancer in remission so that she could have the chance for a bone marrow transplant. June 6, 2018 was Arlie’s fresh start. She is thriving and growing. Arlie loves unicorns, being outside, and spending time with mom and dad.