Zac Haberl loses battle with leukemia

Brian Martin

LA CRESCENTA -- After three-and-a-half years of fighting leukemia with

intense chemotherapy sessions, total-body radiation treatments, a

bone-marrow transplant and countless medications, Zachary Haberl was a

happy 6-year-old boy Sunday night.

Seated in the fifth row at the Pantages Theatre, Zac -- almost

completely blind because of a fungal infection -- was soaking in the

production of “The Lion King,” dancing in his seat, playing drums on his

lap and singing along to “Hakuna Matata.”

Monday morning, Zac died peacefully in his sleep, cuddled in his bed

next to his mother in the family’s Huntington Beach home.

“He was strong to the end. He had such a good time at the play,” said

Zac’s father, Drew, a star basketball player at Crescenta Valley High

School upon graduating in 1985. “I just couldn’t ask for anything better

than the way it ended.”

Zac’s search for a bone-marrow donor earlier this year led to three

blood drives in La Crescenta and La Canada Flintridge, with hundreds

showing up to donate blood. Blood drives in his hometown drew hundreds

more.

A perfect match was found in February. In March, Zac underwent the

bone-marrow transplant. By April, Zac started feeling better and his hair

had begun to grow back. The weekly trips to the doctor to test Zac’s

blood were yielding positive results.

But in August, abnormal cells had returned in Zac’s blood. The doctors

said there was nothing more they could do.

“Zac didn’t want any more medications, and we were done with the

hospital. We wanted to bring him home. It was time to be with his family

and his brother and sister,” said Jennifer Haberl, Zac’s mother.

“We had been separated for a year. It was time to bring him home.”

Born May 26, 1995, Zac was diagnosed with leukemia in February 1998.

He endured 10 months of intense chemotherapy and 38 months of maintenance

therapy.

By October 2000, Zac was playing soccer and enjoying a normal

childhood. Two days after hiking for 10 hours in Joshua Tree, he went in

for his monthly blood test. Results showed Zac’s white blood-cell count

about 96,000; the count in anaverage human ranges from 4,500 to 10,000.

Zac’s parents point to that as typical of their son’s attitude in

facing the disease.

“He never complained,” Drew Haberl said. “I just think maybe he knew

if he complained, it might hurt us. I think he kept quiet so we’d feel

better about the situation.

“On the other hand, I got to spend more one-on-one time with him than

most fathers do with their sons in a lifetime. I’m so glad I had him in

my life for six years.”

Zac is survived by his parents, Drew and Jennifer; brother, Tanner, 9;

sister, Megan, 13 months; grandparents, Gene and Linda Haberl of La

Crescenta; grandmother, Kathy Toone of Denver; and uncle, Chris of

Huntington Beach.

HOW TO HELP

Memorial funds have been established to help the Haberl family pay for

medical and funeral expenses. Donations can be sent to:

* Crescenta Valley boys’ basketball, 4400 Ramsdell Ave., La Crescenta,

CA 91214.

* Desi Geestman Foundation, 3610 1/2 Foothill Blvd., La Crescenta, CA

91214.

Make sure to write “For Zac Haberl” on the check.

IF YOU GO

* WHAT: Celebration of Zac Haberl’s life.

* WHEN: 3 p.m. Friday.

* WHERE: Church of Jesus Christ Latter-Day Saints, 5402 Heil Ave.,

Huntington Beach.