Fanconi anemia (FA) is named for a Swiss pediatrician, Guido Fanconi. In 1927, Dr. Fanconi published his clinical observations on brothers who had inherited various abnormal physical conditions, and who also experienced bone marrow failure. These children suffered severe life-threatening aplastic anemia. Their blood systems could not successfully combat infection, fatigue or spontaneous hemorrhage or bleeding. I dedicate this group to my friend Reid who passed away late February of 2004.