The National Capital Area Chapter proudly announces the 2007 Boy & Girl of the Year, Andrew Hughes and Faith Froehlich!

Faith was born on January 29, 2002 in Scottsdale, AZ and has a twin sister named Josephine. Shortly before the twins’ second birthday, Faith came down with what was assumed to be a typical childhood bug. When her fever and swollen lymphnodes did not respond to antibiotics, her parents took her back to the doctors’ office. After a battery of tests, Faith was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL).  

The initial hospital stay lasted eleven days, and included an operation to install a port-a-cath (a device to assist in the withdrawal of blood and the intravenous administration of chemotherapy). By the time she was discharged the Oncologists had battled Faith’s leukemia into remission.

In April 2005 the Froehlich family relocated to Gaithersburg, MD for a job opportunity. Faith transferred to the care of Dr. Nita Seibel at Children’s Hospital where she continued her monthly treatment as part of the Maintenance phase. As of February 2nd, 2006, Faith is completely done with her chemotherapy treatment and continues to see Dr. Seibel monthly for routine follow-up appointments.

Faith has faced this ordeal with a level of courage and resilience that no one could expect from a child. Her patience and strength throughout these past years continue to amaze her doctors and family.

Faith enjoys many things that kids her age do. She loves Dora The Explorer, her heart blanket and her doll “Pink”. She enjoys riding her “big girl bike” and scooter, riding on the Metro, going on strolls with mommy, and playing with her sister, friends and two black labs, Kobe and Pepper.n but also throu

In December 2004, Andrew Thomas Hughes was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL). As a happy-go-lucky three year old, Andrew did not realize the severity of his illness. In fact, to him and his remarkable brother and sister, this was just going to be another “cold” or “boo-boo” that he would fight off. His parents, on the other hand, were rocked by the devastation of hearing their child had a potentially fatal disease. Sensing his “can do” attitude, Mom and Dad took a few cues from Andrew as they spent 2005 battling this dreadful illness.

Together as a family, they rode the roller coaster of hospital visits, doctors’ offices, shots and injections, spinal taps and chemotherapy, hair loss and hair gain, mood swings and weight gain, sleepless nights and unspoken fears.

His illness brought family and friends from afar, making Ashburn, VA a rallying point in the fight. Andrew has never used his illness as a crutch or bargaining tool. Rather, he has worked harder at remaining a normal kid with a normal life. After a brief break from school, he returned to Pre-K and finished this year.

Andrew is truly a remarkable and tough kid and he never ever ceases to amaze or inspire those around him. Friendships have grown stronger, families have become closer, and many have realized unconditional true love. All of this, through the eyes and determination of a four year old.

 active and blessed life.