July 25, 2012
07/26/12 Hope Banghart is a 15 year old Plymouth High School student. She is a straight A student who loves school and music. She is involved in choir, the Crimson show choir, the speech and debate team, and was a cheerleader last year. She is also very involved in her church, youth group and is the type of person who would do anything t help others. Her plans have always been big. She wants to do to Notre Dame and then go on to become a neurologist. There is nothing that she sees that is beyond her grasp.
On Thursday, June 21st she learned she was sick when test results revealed severe anemia and an extremely high white blood cell count. They transported Hope to Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis at 4 a.m. After several more tests Hope was started on chemo on Saturday, June 23rd for Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML). The cancer has spread throughout her blood stream and taken over her bone marrow. She will have to undergo three months of chemo treatments back to back and possibly a bone marrow transplant if that is needed. AML is a rare form of childhood leukemia and that success rate has been climbing for treatment over the last few years, but could be better. She is being strong and is a fighter, but she has a long road ahead of her.
A benefit is being planned for Hope Banghart at the Church of the Heartland, 705 East Jefferson Street in Plymouth this Saturday, July 28th. The fundraiser called “A Day of Hope” includes kiddie games, inflatables, food tents, and Hope merchandise. Day of Hope is from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. and everyone is encouraged to come have some fun and help Hope.