09/04/2026
10 years! 🎉💙BIG milestone for our ALD warrior Nicholas (the inspiration for Knockout ALD) and our family this weekend! Otherwise known as a “re-birthday” or “BMT anniversary”. Celebrating 10 years since the gift of a second chance at life! Years of bloodwork (starting as an infant), medical research, restrictive low-fat diet, Lorenzo’s Oil, trips scheduled around medical visits, and brain MRIs starting at 1.5 years old, not to mention the unknowing, the worry, the nearly unbearable waiting all resulting in his miracle (although not without medical drama) of a successful umbilical cord blood transplant to stop the progression of adrenoleukodystrophy.
A transplant of this kind is one of the most grueling and difficult journeys to endure, and for many ALD families like ours, must be done miles away from home at ALD expert hospitals. Our family was separated for several months and life completely halted for Nicholas. But not only did he survive, he has thrived, now in his senior year of college and a competitive triathlete.
For this, we are GRATEFUL beyond words…to the family who donated their baby’s cord blood, for his medical team at the University of Minnesota, to family and friends who supported our family through the immensely challenging journey, and for our FAITH that has remained a constant source of strength and HOPE.
We’d love for you to join in the celebration for our milestone 10th Anniversary Run for ALD on Nov. 21…we continue our mission to support research that brings earlier diagnosis and better outcomes for ALD boys just like Nicholas! Knockoutald.com
Here’s to 10 years Nicholas!!! Definitely a BIG reason to celebrate! 🎉💪🏻🥊