HALEY CALLAHAN One day Kim Callahan knew she would wake up and not see her daughter Haley's glowing presence roaming around the family's home in rural Cherokee County.

Born several weeks premature, Haley was diagnosed with a rare blood disorder known as Diamond-Blackfan anemia. The disorder affects approximately 600 to 700 people worldwide, with the patient's bone marrow producing little or no red blood cells. About one-third of children born with the disorder have some type of physical defect, but a clear set of signs hasn't been identified. The symptoms may also vary greatly, from mild to severe to life-threatening.

For Haley, staying alive was a full-time job, keeping the faith though the odds were stacked against her. Unfortunately, the disease would eventually win out, claiming her young life at the age of 12.

A book likely cannot hold the many memories Callahan has of her daughter, from the days when she would chase frogs and lizards outside the family's home or the moments of laughter the family often shared. However, she wanted a way for Haley's many friends and family members to be able to honor her and her battle with Diamond- Blackfan anemia.

"Life is a wonderful thing to celebrate," Callahan said, "and you do not know how special and fragile it is until someone you love is gone."

In the spirit of spreading awareness of the ailment that claimed her daughter's life, Callahan and several family members and friends will take part in this weekend's Relay for Life activities.

"Relay for Life is such a good cause and I support it totally," Callahan said. "Members of my family have died of cancer through the years, and this would be a great way to honor their memory. But in many ways, I thought the event was a good way to also share Haley's story and raise awareness about Diamond- Blackfan anemia."

At first glance, cancer and Diamond-Blackfan anemia have little in common, with one being a blood disorder and the other having the ability to wreak havoc anywhere in the human body. But Callahan believes the two are more similar than one would think.

Haley often was forced to miss school to make trips to the hospital to receive blood transfusions, much like a cancer patient's frequent checkups and treatment sessions with physicians.

"Both require 24/7 care," Callahan said, "with both of them there are no days off."

Rare diseases like the one that claimed her daughter's life receive little attention, partially because the sparse amount of cases across the globe and the large financial undertaking often required to launch a full-scale research effort to find a cure.

"With Diamond-Blackfan anemia and other rare diseases, they are so rare that they are often put to the side and a lot of people don't want to put money in for research," Callahan said. "However, it's our goal to celebrate Haley's life and her fight.

"My daughter was a wonderful person, anyone that knew her would say that. So for that reason, we're 'Walking to Remember Haley,' and hope others will too."