Boise Girl With Leukemia Dies

Susie Hamilton, who received the encouragement of President Clinton and hundreds of Boiseans, lost her fight with leukemia.

The 9-year-old died Thursday in a Seattle hospital of complications related to pneumonia.

Her illness sparked extraordinary community support. At the Boise Fire Department, where her father, Steve Hamilton, is a battalion chief, firemen started wearing purple ribbons - her favorite color.

In May, Sen. Dirk Kempthorne sent a purple ribbon to President Clinton. He responded by sending Susie a letter of encouragement.

More than 500 people volunteered to be tested as donors for her bone-marrow transplant. The donor was a German soldier. The transplant was performed May 11.