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Last fall we wrote about bone marrow registry drives fueled by love for Leni Hsiao, a now nine month-old hapa cutie (Chinese and Jewish) who was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia. There have been several fundraising and awareness events inspired by Leni, and now one is coming to LA.

The event will feature artwork and items from these generous creators, with all proceeds going towards Leni’s medical expenses:

Alelli Tanghal, Alice Dison, Amanda Lopez, Anthony Samaniego, Aryo Toh Djojo, Bam and Lanie Barcena, Bill McMullen, Cern, Charlie Becker, Chase, Claw Money, Dallas Clayton, Daniel Racz, David Choe, Deanne Cheuk, Dez Einswell, Dorothy Hong, Dwindle, Eileen San Felipe, Faile, Gary Baseman, Geoff McFetridge, Hassan Rahim, HVW8 Gallery, Indie 184, James Jean (Hundreds), Jessica Rivas, Jordin Isip, Justin Krietemeyer, Katsuo Design, Kristofferson San Pablo, Matt Goldman, Michael C. Hsiung, Nomade, Our Open Road/Adam Harteau, Perfekt World, Rachel Pitler Hsiung, Raphael Tanghal, Rich Jacobs, Rich One (NASA Crew), Rich Tu, Ryan McGinness, Sayori Wada, Shepard Fairey, Stephen Platt, Stephen Stickler, Steven Harrington, Tamar Levine, Theme Magazine, Tim Biskup, Tobin Yelland, Tofer Chin, URNY, Vanessa Salle, Vashtie, Vicki Yeung and others. Other items are available to bid on by Adidas, Girl/Eric Koston, Han Cholo, Innovative Leisure Records, Jen Lu/Hook Ups Decks, Karlita Designs, Knotwork LA, Knowhow Shop, lovejac, The Oinkster, Maximiliano, Sony BMG, Public School, Rick Williams, Talib Kweli, Warby Parker, YogaVibe and more. Bake sale goods provided by Ticings.

In an interview with Amanda Hsiao, mom to Leni and her big sister Mae, we learn more about leukemia, Leni, and the love she’s inspired.

GR: Can you talk a bit about Leni’s initial diagnosis and what kind of support was available for you as a family dealing with leukemia?

AH: Leni’s initial diagnosis was obviously a shock to us. We are not from families that have a history of a blood cancer, or any type of cancer for that matter. We come from very different national and religious backgrounds which is thought to lessen the odds of having a genetic diseases or abnormalites, so it took a long time to accept what we were hit with. Also, the fact that her type of leukemia is extremely and incredibly rare, it made us even more shocked then we already were.

Immediate support came from our amazing friends who helped us with our other daughter Mae, and our dog Luna. Support also came from our wealth of friends who volunteered to order us dinner every night at the hospital. You cannot imagine the gratitude I have for this. Support came from friends who ran our websites, blogs, and Instagram to help us get the word out for help, support and awareness. Support came from an amazing team of doctors and nurses who initially treated her and ultimately saved her life. Support came from charities like Friends of Karen and Red Dog Foundation – just two of a bunch that immediately helped us financially.  Ironically, we consider ourselves lucky in an extremely unlucky situation with what support we had as this was all happening.

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Last fall we wrote about bone marrow registry drives fueled by love for Leni Hsiao, a now nine month-old hapa cutie (Chinese and Jewish) who was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia. There have been several fundraising and awareness events inspired by Leni, and now one is coming to LA.

The event will feature artwork and items from these generous creators, with all proceeds going towards Leni’s medical expenses:

Alelli Tanghal, Alice Dison, Amanda Lopez, Anthony Samaniego, Aryo Toh Djojo, Bam and Lanie Barcena, Bill McMullen, Cern, Charlie Becker, Chase, Claw Money, Dallas Clayton, Daniel Racz, David Choe, Deanne Cheuk, Dez Einswell, Dorothy Hong, Dwindle, Eileen San Felipe, Faile, Gary Baseman, Geoff McFetridge, Hassan Rahim, HVW8 Gallery, Indie 184, James Jean (Hundreds), Jessica Rivas, Jordin Isip, Justin Krietemeyer, Katsuo Design, Kristofferson San Pablo, Matt Goldman, Michael C. Hsiung, Nomade, Our Open Road/Adam Harteau, Perfekt World, Rachel Pitler Hsiung, Raphael Tanghal, Rich Jacobs, Rich One (NASA Crew), Rich Tu, Ryan McGinness, Sayori Wada, Shepard Fairey, Stephen Platt, Stephen Stickler, Steven Harrington, Tamar Levine, Theme Magazine, Tim Biskup, Tobin Yelland, Tofer Chin, URNY, Vanessa Salle, Vashtie, Vicki Yeung and others. Other items are available to bid on by Adidas, Girl/Eric Koston, Han Cholo, Innovative Leisure Records, Jen Lu/Hook Ups Decks, Karlita Designs, Knotwork LA, Knowhow Shop, lovejac, The Oinkster, Maximiliano, Sony BMG, Public School, Rick Williams, Talib Kweli, Warby Parker, YogaVibe and more. Bake sale goods provided by Ticings.

In an interview with Amanda Hsiao, mom to Leni and her big sister Mae, we learn more about leukemia, Leni, and the love she’s inspired.

GR: Can you talk a bit about Leni’s initial diagnosis and what kind of support was available for you as a family dealing with leukemia?

AH: Leni’s initial diagnosis was obviously a shock to us. We are not from families that have a history of a blood cancer, or any type of cancer for that matter. We come from very different national and religious backgrounds which is thought to lessen the odds of having a genetic diseases or abnormalites, so it took a long time to accept what we were hit with. Also, the fact that her type of leukemia is extremely and incredibly rare, it made us even more shocked then we already were.

Immediate support came from our amazing friends who helped us with our other daughter Mae, and our dog Luna. Support also came from our wealth of friends who volunteered to order us dinner every night at the hospital. You cannot imagine the gratitude I have for this. Support came from friends who ran our websites, blogs, and Instagram to help us get the word out for help, support and awareness. Support came from an amazing team of doctors and nurses who initially treated her and ultimately saved her life. Support came from charities like Friends of Karen and Red Dog Foundation – just two of a bunch that immediately helped us financially.  Ironically, we consider ourselves lucky in an extremely unlucky situation with what support we had as this was all happening.

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Perhaps this image has come across your social media feeds, if not, please share it now. Lots of people get leukemia, but some have it harder than others to find bone marrow matches. The NY Daily News did a story on Leni and a Korean American mother who are in leukemia limbo. Read and share, and spread the word about how simple it can be to improve the odds for minorities and mixed-race people in a very unfair fight. Leukemia has already touched the GR family. In the memory of Janet Liang, and so many others who fought bravely and worked to educate about the importance of becoming a possible donor, please attend the bone marrow drives or fundraising efforts being organized by friends and family of Leni Hsiao. West Coast events are coming soon. • Love for Leni Pizza September 1, 2013 – October 1, 2013 Speedy Romeo (376 Classon Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11238) In honor of Leni and her fight against cancer, Speedy’s amazin g owners are donating $5 from every Margherita pizza sold in September to t he #loveforleni fund!! • Swab for Leni September 14, 2013 at 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm Carriage House Birth (97 North 7th St., Brooklyn, NY 11249) A Fundraiser and Bone Marrow Drive to support LoveforLeni • #LoveforLeni Bone Marrow Drive September 21, 2013 at 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm Reed Annex – 151 Orchard Street, New York 10002 • Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night Walk September 25, 2013 at 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm Pier 57, New York, NY http://pages.lightthenight.org/nyc/Manhattn13/LoveforLeni#home • #LoveforLeni Art Fundraiser October 8, 2013 at 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm Reed Space – 151 Orchard Street, New York 10002 Like LoveforLeni on Facebook to stay updated on events around the country, and share her story not just for her, but for the others struggling to find a match.
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Perhaps this image has come across your social media feeds, if not, please share it now. Lots of people get leukemia, but some have it harder than others to find bone marrow matches. The NY Daily News did a story on Leni and a Korean American mother who are in leukemia limbo. Read and share, and spread the word about how simple it can be to improve the odds for minorities and mixed-race people in a very unfair fight. Leukemia has already touched the GR family. In the memory of Janet Liang, and so many others who fought bravely and worked to educate about the importance of becoming a possible donor, please attend the bone marrow drives or fundraising efforts being organized by friends and family of Leni Hsiao. West Coast events are coming soon. • Love for Leni Pizza September 1, 2013 – October 1, 2013 Speedy Romeo (376 Classon Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11238) In honor of Leni and her fight against cancer, Speedy’s amazin g owners are donating $5 from every Margherita pizza sold in September to t he #loveforleni fund!! • Swab for Leni September 14, 2013 at 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm Carriage House Birth (97 North 7th St., Brooklyn, NY 11249) A Fundraiser and Bone Marrow Drive to support LoveforLeni • #LoveforLeni Bone Marrow Drive September 21, 2013 at 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm Reed Annex – 151 Orchard Street, New York 10002 • Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night Walk September 25, 2013 at 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm Pier 57, New York, NY http://pages.lightthenight.org/nyc/Manhattn13/LoveforLeni#home • #LoveforLeni Art Fundraiser October 8, 2013 at 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm Reed Space – 151 Orchard Street, New York 10002 Like LoveforLeni on Facebook to stay updated on events around the country, and share her story not just for her, but for the others struggling to find a match.
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Janet on left. After a bout with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Janet Liang has passed away at 25. Just a few days earlier, she received a transplant of bone marrow, but she succumbed to her illness. This message was posted on her Helping Janet page: “To all of Janet’s loving supporters, It is with a sad and heavy heart that we announce the passing of Janet Liang. Janet has served as an inspiration to all those who knew her. Her big heart and big smile was something that we all cherished. And although she never fulfilled her dream of being a teacher, she has taught us all one very important lesson: love. Despite battling leukemia for 3 years, she has always found it within her to make her situation more than about herself. Her campaign to raise awareness and advocate for bone marrow donors was for the love of her fellow human. She has certainly taught all of us to love one another, and live each day as if it were our last. After bravely fighting cancer for three years, she has finally found her peace.We ask that you provide her family with privacy and respect during this difficult time. Thank you to all of Janet’s supporters. Your outpouring of love and support has always been a constant source of strength for her. Please help to honor her legacy by continuing the fight for leukemia awareness in her memory.”
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