The Jeffrey's Voice Leukemia Research Fund supports leukemia research at Winship Cancer Institute and was established in memory of two young brothers, Jeffrey Hammond Horne and Brian Daniel Horne.

My name is Nancy Horne, and Leukemia is my enemy. That's why I established the Jeffrey's Voice Leukemia Research Fund at the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University.

In addition to so many others, perhaps someone you know or love, Leukemia took the lives of two beautiful and amazing young brothers – Jeffrey, directly, and Brian, indirectly. Jeffrey and Brian are my children, and, but for Leukemia, they would be here with me today.

Their story, sadly, is a short one. It is the story of two brothers who came into this world just months apart, grew up together, attended the same schools, enjoyed the same friends, and were, themselves, lifelong friends and companions. On Jeffrey's twentieth birthday, he was diagnosed with Acute Mylogenous Leukemia. Over the next several months, Jeffrey endured aggressive treatments, but was never able to achieve a lasting remission. When it became apparent that the only possibility for a cure for Jeffrey was a bone marrow/stem cell transplant, Brian immediately stepped forward. He was a perfect match! Although the transplant was initially successful, both boys were devastated when Jeffrey's Leukemia returned just five months later. Even though the preparation for donation was difficult on Brian, he was more than willing to make other donations to Jeffrey as necessary. Unfortunately, Jeffrey was never well enough to receive the additional life-saving donations.

Despite the horror of his illness, Jeffrey never lost his sense of humor, graciousness, determination, spirit or faith; he never gave up. During the course of his treatments, Jeffrey participated in several clinical trials to help others with the disease. He wrote in his journal, "this next treatment is another experimental one and probably of no use to me, but I don't mind being a lab rat if it will help other leukemia patients." Because of his courage, his voice spoke to many. When Jeffrey's prognosis became just about as bad as it could possibly be, his faith continued to give him strength. One late night shortly before his last hospital stay, Jeffrey said, "Mom, there is a plan for this. It may be that I will get well and can help others with Leukemia. Or it may be that I won't...then YOU can."

Jeffrey's struggle with leukemia ended on January 30, 2008, after a near year-long heroic battle. Shortly after losing Jeffrey, Brian announced that he was joining the National Marrow Donor Registry. He said to me, "Mom, if I can give another person even five more months, then I want to do that, and I know Jeffrey would want me to do that." He did not have the time. Brian died of a broken heart just 17 weeks after losing his beloved brother. Brian was 19.

It is not clear what causes Leukemia, so there are no known ways to prevent it. While there are some risk factors, many who are exposed to the risks, never develop Leukemia, and many who are never exposed to the risks, do. Leukemia strikes indiscriminately and shows no mercy. The effects are devastating and the treatments very difficult for both the patients and their families. While progress has been made in the search for a cure, there is much work still to be done. That's why research into the causes and cures is so very critical. The Jeffrey's Voice Leukemia Research Fund provides important assistance to research initiatives in the Bone Marrow Transplant Department at Winship.

Together, we truly can make a difference. Together, we can reach the day when no more are lost to Leukemia, when all remissions are permanent, and when, finally, there is a cure for all. To support our efforts to find a cure, please donate today! THANK YOU!!