Chase Pullan Foundation

Our Story

In August of 1999 Chase Pullan was diagnosed with a form of cancer called Acute Lyphatic Leukemia (referred to as ALL). Our family was told to get together a few things for Chase and report to the clinic at Primary Children's Medical Center. That day our family learned what ALL was, as well as what a long and grueling journey it would be for Chase on the road, recovery. The doctors at Primary Children's Hospital went to work immediately and treated him for his cancer. In 2001 he was diagnosed in remission and was cancer free. Chase remained in remission for almost three years. During this time, he was able to return to school and attend an almost completely normal life. He was allowed to return to school and was in the 9th grade at Indian Hills Middle School when he had begun feeling sick again. We took Chase back to see his doctor for one of his routine check-ups. The doctors became concerned and upon conducting a few tests, we found out that unfortunately Chase had relapsed, the cancer was now in his bone marrow. But Chase did not give up. With the new developments in his cancer, Chase was now a candidate for a bone marrow transplant. None of our family members were a match for Chase but the doctors were confident they would be able to find someone in the donor bank. Later that year, in September to be exact, Chase received his transplant from a wonderful woman in Germany. For those of you who have experienced a transplant, you know it is no easy task. But, it was a success. Chase's body accepted the transplant and there was no longer any sign of cancer in his tests. During the recovery time, Chase was weak but he was able to come home once his counts improved. As we all know sometimes all too well, fate works in mysterious ways. Chase relapsed again in 2005 and we were back where we had started in 1999. Chase's doctor began treatment again with chemo, but this time his body could not handle it. During his recovery from his bone marrow transplant, Chase acquired Grafters Syndrome which weakened his body and stinted the growth of his new red and white blood cells. The chemicals that had to be used to rid Chase's body of the new cancer damaged Chase's liver and caused jaundice. The doctors did everything in their power to fix Chase's liver but it was unclear what was keeping it from healing. Chase was admitted to the hospital in December 2005 in critical condition and again we were told, like many times before, that Chase would not make it through the night. But Chase was a fighter, he always had been, and he clung to life with an iron grip. Later that night he was moved back to the floor and put in a room. Family members flowed through the room the next couple of days, wishing well and spending time with Chase and the rest of our family. On December 17, 2005 at the age of 18, Chase passed on. He held on an amazing 5 days longer than anyone had predicted. I wouldn't pretend for even a second that his death has been easy for anyone. Chase didn't want to die; I don't really think that anyone ever does, but even survivors must die. Make no mistake, Chase was a survivor. In the years Chase was alive, he touched countless hearts and souls, made friends and brought together many of our very own family members. We know that now Chase is no longer in pain and he doesn't feel the sickness he felt the last six years. But that doesn't mean that his death doesn't hurt and that doesn't mean that we don't miss him dearly, every single day. But life has to go on because the sun rises every morning, regardless of whether it should or not, and because Chase would want us to. So here we are...
Our Mission
...and here you are too. Maybe you're facing down the same road we came to, and are surrounded by impossible questions and circumstances. Maybe you know someone else who is struggling as we were, that is why we're here. As an organization, we will deliver to these families the everyday luxuries that the hospital cannot possibly provide. We know first hand that you cannot, and often do not want, to leave a family member that is in distress whether you really need some aspirin or not. We also know that if you're dealing with a long illness, sometimes you cannot afford that cup of coffee from the cafeteria. As friends, we want to help. All of the services that are currently provided and will eventually be provided by The Chase Pullan Foundation, are free of charge. Our application process is simple and does not have to be completed by the family in question. Please let us help you with those things that you cannot do by yourself. We are here and ready to help.

Arielle Pullan, Chase's sister



	Our Story In August of 1999 Chase Pullan was diagnosed with a form of cancer called Acute Lyphatic Leukemia (referred to as ALL). Our family was told to get together a few things for Chase and report to the clinic at Primary Children's Medical Center. That day our family learned what ALL was, as well as what a long and grueling journey it would be for Chase on the road, recovery. The doctors at Primary Children's Hospital went to work immediately and treated him for his cancer. In 2001 he was diagnosed in remission and was cancer free. Chase remained in remission for almost three years. During this time, he was able to return to school and attend an almost completely normal life. He was allowed to return to school and was in the 9th grade at Indian Hills Middle School when he had begun feeling sick again. We took Chase back to see his doctor for one of his routine check-ups. The doctors became concerned and upon conducting a few tests, we found out that unfortunately Chase had relapsed, the cancer was now in his bone marrow. But Chase did not give up. With the new developments in his cancer, Chase was now a candidate for a bone marrow transplant. None of our family members were a match for Chase but the doctors were confident they would be able to find someone in the donor bank. Later that year, in September to be exact, Chase received his transplant from a wonderful woman in Germany. For those of you who have experienced a transplant, you know it is no easy task. But, it was a success. Chase's body accepted the transplant and there was no longer any sign of cancer in his tests. During the recovery time, Chase was weak but he was able to come home once his counts improved. As we all know sometimes all too well, fate works in mysterious ways. Chase relapsed again in 2005 and we were back where we had started in 1999. Chase's doctor began treatment again with chemo, but this time his body could not handle it. During his recovery from his bone marrow transplant, Chase acquired Grafters Syndrome which weakened his body and stinted the growth of his new red and white blood cells. The chemicals that had to be used to rid Chase's body of the new cancer damaged Chase's liver and caused jaundice. The doctors did everything in their power to fix Chase's liver but it was unclear what was keeping it from healing. Chase was admitted to the hospital in December 2005 in critical condition and again we were told, like many times before, that Chase would not make it through the night. But Chase was a fighter, he always had been, and he clung to life with an iron grip. Later that night he was moved back to the floor and put in a room. Family members flowed through the room the next couple of days, wishing well and spending time with Chase and the rest of our family. On December 17, 2005 at the age of 18, Chase passed on. He held on an amazing 5 days longer than anyone had predicted. I wouldn't pretend for even a second that his death has been easy for anyone. Chase didn't want to die; I don't really think that anyone ever does, but even survivors must die. Make no mistake, Chase was a survivor. In the years Chase was alive, he touched countless hearts and souls, made friends and brought together many of our very own family members. We know that now Chase is no longer in pain and he doesn't feel the sickness he felt the last six years. But that doesn't mean that his death doesn't hurt and that doesn't mean that we don't miss him dearly, every single day. But life has to go on because the sun rises every morning, regardless of whether it should or not, and because Chase would want us to. So here we are... Our Mission ...and here you are too. Maybe you're facing down the same road we came to, and are surrounded by impossible questions and circumstances. Maybe you know someone else who is struggling as we were, that is why we're here. As an organization, we will deliver to these families the everyday luxuries that the hospital cannot possibly provide. We know first hand that you cannot, and often do not want, to leave a family member that is in distress whether you really need some aspirin or not. We also know that if you're dealing with a long illness, sometimes you cannot afford that cup of coffee from the cafeteria. As friends, we want to help. All of the services that are currently provided and will eventually be provided by The Chase Pullan Foundation, are free of charge. Our application process is simple and does not have to be completed by the family in question. Please let us help you with those things that you cannot do by yourself. We are here and ready to help. Arielle Pullan, Chase's sister