Help the Gouge Family Fight ITP!

 

David is a happy nine-and-a-half-year-old boy from Polk County, Florida. He was 8 years old when diagnosed with idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP).  It is an autoimmune disorder where antibodies mistake the body’s platelets for foreign germs and destroy them. This means that David’s platelets are well below normal range, leaving him highly susceptible to spontaneous internal bleeding, most importantly bleeding in the brain. Because his levels stay so low he is unable to do most of the regular "kid stuff" like running, jumping, climbing trees, riding bikes--basically anything that could result in a fall or head trauma that could cause internal bleeding. He bruises very easily, often from just the pressure of sitting or sleeping.

David’s ITP has shown little to no response to earlier treatments. Thus his levels keep falling into critical range. Doctors have done a bone marrow biopsy and currently do not know why his body is doing this. They have decided to do a lower dose chemo drug called rituximab which helps achieve short term remission (about a year) in about 50-60% of patients. This will allow him to eventually be a normally playful child again. In the meantime he will go through 4 rounds (once a week for 4 weeks) of infusion. The first round is 8 hours the others are 4-6. It will take about 12 weeks to see if there is any result and his immune system will be suppressed for many, many months. David will have to avoid large crowds and public places as much as possible.

David’s father Eric is currently an ESE teacher in Polk County and his mother Terra is staying home with David to homeschool while going through all of this. Eric and Terra are both graduates of Warner University in Lake Wales. Both have their BA degrees and Terra has an MS in Business Management.

David’s younger brother Aaron is a big help to his family and his brother.

The Gouge family lives over an hour from Nemours Children’s Hospital in Orlando. They are in need of gas/toll money and the occasional overnight hotel stay in the Orlando area. All money you give will be used to defray these expenses and allow the Gouges to see to David’s comfort and recovery. Keep them in your prayers, and give what you can to help David and his family.

 

 
David at Nemours in Orlando.