‘Killing Leuk:’ Kelly Marre’s book signing April 8

WASILLA — “I always say my story begins with Logan,” Kelly Marre says.

Her first born son, Logan passed away at the age of 11 in 1998 after fighting acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Nineteen years later, Marre carries his memory everywhere. As an active member in the volunteer community, particularly focusing her efforts on Leukemia and bone marrow registries, Marre states she tries to do everything with purpose.

“When God took Logan, it did not compromise my faith. I could have been bitter and cursed his name from a mountaintop. But I didn’t. Look around everything is beautiful. Logan’s story almost 19 years after his death lives on… (Sharing her story and her sons) …It brings people hope and that is my purpose,” Marre says.

Kelly, too, is battling leukemia. Now 22 months into remission, Marre has survived thus far and has a story to share.

Saturday, April 8, from 11am to 2pm is Kelly Marre’s book signing event. Titled, “Killing Leuk”, the book chronicles her journey through the stages of Acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

The book-singing event will be inside the new Little Miller’s Café off the Palmer-Wasilla Highway. Guests can stroll into the cozy lounge and casually waft through the afternoon with Marre as she sells and signs books and welcomes meaningful conversations. She invites anyone who wants talk about overcoming the challenges of pain and suffering, hoping to a brighter future.

Marre’s goal is to donate $1 for every book sold. If they all sell that would mean 4,000 books to raise $4,000 to donate to her charities of choice: The Ronald McDonald Foundation, Be the Match (bone marrow registry), the Make-a-Wish Foundation, and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Nineteen years after her son Logan’s death, Marre’s book details her dealings with loss, illness, high hopes and setbacks, hope, strength, and ultimately – inspiration; how she kept fighting through every strained step, every clump of hair fallen, each relapse. All with the love and support through faith, friends, family, and the heartbeat of the community.

“Logan was pretty famous in our community,” Marre said.

If you look back in the Frontiersman archives, you will find stories surrounding Marre’s family and the impact it had on the community; a living, breathing story arc of love and loss, whirling a dramatic wind of positive momentum, all around.

“You know what, we all have stories; we all have circumstances, and we all have pain and we’ve all had suffering,” she said. “It’s what we do with that – it’s our journey. We were given a journey and it’s all how we walk that journey that can make our break us.”

Both Logan and Kelly were unable to find matches for bone marrow transplants. Both, however, received cord blood units from donated umbilical cords.

“The umbilical cord is rich, rich in stem cells. Unfortunately in Alaska we don’t have that opportunity and I’m trying to change that,” Marre said. “That’s why I get involved with the be the match bone marrow registry drive. We need to find matches for everybody.”

Anyone interested in visiting Kelly Marre is welcome to do stop by this Saturday. It appears Marre and her son’s stories have already given people hope. There’s always room for more.