VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — A 7th grader in Virginia Beach is celebrating life.
10 On Your Side has been following Abbey Furco’s journey since 2016.
Four years ago today, she underwent a procedure to save her life.
“Today is important because it’s when somebody I didn’t know at all from a different country gave their bone marrow to me so I could live,” said Abby.
Abby is a fighter.
She was diagnosed with leukemia when she was younger.
After she had the bone marrow transplant in 2015, she had to fight even harder.
She developed graft-versus-host disease, which is a condition where the donated marrow attacks her body.
Her body began to fail her and she was given 48 hours to live.
“It’s been a roller coaster but I’m just glad to be here,” Abby said.
But Abby beat the odds again.
Four years later Abby is still here, still fighting, and doing much better.
“I’m technically still in remission,” Abby said.
She says shes still battling graft-versus-host disease, which gives her stomach pains sometimes.
But today, she’s pain free.
“Right now it’s not bothering me it’s been at bay,” she said.
Abby is excited for the future ahead.
“My big dream is to one day open a restaurant,” Abby said.
She’s also back in school full time
“It’s great, I love being around my friends and learning things and being in a school atmosphere,” she said.
And it’s her friends and family she credits to getting her through her toughest times.
“I’m just really thankful for all of the support of my friends, family and the people who have helped me through this,” Abby said.
Abby’s mother says she will be entering treatment for chronic graft-versus-host disease soon.
She also says they want to continue to share Abby’s story to give others hope.
