Baby Jackson’s HLH & Bone Marrow Transplant
Donation protected
In mid May, we noticed Jackson looking a little jaundice. This can be common in newborns, but we decided to bring him to the ER. To our surprise, the doctor told us he was on the verge of liver failure and we were immediately admitted to the PICU. With no known cause, we spoke to specialists from many departments. After 2 weeks of testing, transfusions and a bone marrow biopsy, our six week old son was diagnosed with Primary Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH).
HLH causes the immune system to turn on to fight an infection, but never off, meaning that Jackson’s body is attacking his organs and blood very aggressively. It is a rare, but fatal disease that can only be cured by a bone marrow transplant.
Jackson is being treated by the doctors at Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City. In order to prepare for transplant, he is currently undergoing an intense steroid and chemotherapy treatment plan which should dampen the HLH attack on his body. A bone marrow transplant is a very dangerous procedure for babies, especially under 1 year of age. After 8 weeks of chemo and steroids, if Jackson is no longer showing signs of HLH, we will wait for him to grow healthier and stronger before going into the transplant.
Jackson is our first child and is fighting a battle we never could have imagined. As parents, we are heartbroken by his diagnosis but faithful that he will survive and live a long and healthy life.
We live in Idaho, so being away from home is adding to the list of challenges we are facing. If you are able to donate, the funds will be used to help our family through this difficult time - including paying for Jackson’s medical expenses, recovery, lodging and meals while we are out of state, and household bills. Any donation will be a great blessing to us.
If you would like to be a stem cell/bone marrow donor, head to bethematch.com - they make it super simple by sending you a free cheek swab kit. If you match with Jackson or somebody in need, they will fly you to a collection center of your choice and pay for all expenses. The donation process is a blood draw similar to donating plasma. On rare occasions they will need to collect actual bone marrow.
Thank you so much for hearing our story and supporting our baby.
HLH causes the immune system to turn on to fight an infection, but never off, meaning that Jackson’s body is attacking his organs and blood very aggressively. It is a rare, but fatal disease that can only be cured by a bone marrow transplant.
Jackson is being treated by the doctors at Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City. In order to prepare for transplant, he is currently undergoing an intense steroid and chemotherapy treatment plan which should dampen the HLH attack on his body. A bone marrow transplant is a very dangerous procedure for babies, especially under 1 year of age. After 8 weeks of chemo and steroids, if Jackson is no longer showing signs of HLH, we will wait for him to grow healthier and stronger before going into the transplant.
Jackson is our first child and is fighting a battle we never could have imagined. As parents, we are heartbroken by his diagnosis but faithful that he will survive and live a long and healthy life.
We live in Idaho, so being away from home is adding to the list of challenges we are facing. If you are able to donate, the funds will be used to help our family through this difficult time - including paying for Jackson’s medical expenses, recovery, lodging and meals while we are out of state, and household bills. Any donation will be a great blessing to us.
If you would like to be a stem cell/bone marrow donor, head to bethematch.com - they make it super simple by sending you a free cheek swab kit. If you match with Jackson or somebody in need, they will fly you to a collection center of your choice and pay for all expenses. The donation process is a blood draw similar to donating plasma. On rare occasions they will need to collect actual bone marrow.
Thank you so much for hearing our story and supporting our baby.
Organizer
Mariah Field
Organizer
Meridian, ID