COMMERCE TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Sydney Balzer is a 9 year old living in Commerce, Michigan. She loves making crafts, spending time with friends, playing soccer, playing piano and doing gymnastics. She lives with her mom (Stacy), dad (Jason) and big brother (Jeremy – 12). All in all she lives the life of a typical 9 year old, except for one thing: Sydney has had to battle cancer twice in her young life.
After two and a half years of chemotherapy, hair loss, and endless medication that helped put her in remission, her doctors now say that her best chance is to receive a bone marrow transplant. Without a matching donor in her family, Sydney's life is in the hands of a stranger.
Recommended Videos
Sydney Balzer with Kelley LaFontaine (left) & Maureen LaFontaine (right)
Sydney & Team LaFontaine
In 2012, The LaFontaine Family grew close to Sydney and her family during the Leukemia Lymphoma Society Man & Woman of the Year campaign.
Team LaFontaine held two fundraisers, the Mask-Car-Aid and the Nine & Wine, to raise money on behalf of Sydney, the 2012 Leukemia Lymphoma Society Girl of the Year.
Just last spring, Sydney and her mom dropped by to record a video testimonial to help support our 2013 LLS Fundraising efforts. Unfortunately in early September, Sydney relapsed and had to began treatment once again.
Knowing that the best way for Sydney to recover is to recieve a bone marrow transplant, Team LaFontaine is prepared to do whatever we can to help find Sydney a bone marrow donor.
Become A Bone Marrow Donor
The best way to show your support is to attend the Team Sydney Bone Marrow Drive on Saturday, November 2, 2013. It's being held from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM at Walled Lake Central High School.
If you are unable to attend, you can still help by:
1. Holding your own drive (Reference Sydney Balzer)
2. Hosting a Swab Party (Reference Sydney Balzer)
3. Go on the DKMS website (www.deletebloodcancer.org) and have a kit sent to your house.
4. Donate (Team Sydney Fundraising Page -http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/teamsydney1/teamsydneyfundraisingpage)
Remember, it only takes 5 minutes to register, but it could end up meaning a long, happy life for someone like Sydney.
Support Sydney
There's an ever growing community of supporters for Sydney and her family online. Please join these communities and share your messages of strength and hope with Sydney.
If you visit Sydney's Page on CaringBridge.org you'll find a journal that regularly updates Sydney's condition. There you can also sign Sydney's guestbook to leave her a message, see photos and make donations on Sydney's behalf.
If you are on Facebook, please LIKE the Team Sydney Facebook Page which is maintained by a community of families who are devoted to helping Sydney Balzer conquer cancer. Here you'll find plenty of more information about Sydney, becoming a bone marrow donor, and plenty of love and support.
WATCH: Meet Sydney Balzer