Support Deacon Al Forsythe's Fight Against Aplastic Anemia

Hi! I'm Brendan Foley and I am helping a friend in need. I've known Deacon Al Forsythe since 2013. As a Scoutmaster, I had two scouts work on Eagle Scout projects at Christ Prince of Peace retreat center in Benton, TN. As the administrator of the property, Al was our contact for coordinating the projects. Working with Al has always been a blessing.

Over the years, I've gotten to know more of he and his wife Debbie's incredible story of service and giving. Al and Debbie met in high school in New Jersey and his career has been one of service to others. During his career, Al has served in Youth Ministry at the Parish and Diocese level in some way since 1986 in both the Diocese of Newark, NJ and in Knoxville, TN. He was ordained to the Permanent Diaconate in 2016 and he served as a Deacon at St. John Neumann School, and presently at St. Mary's in Athens, TN. He has also been serving as the Knoxville Director of Marriage Preparation since 2020.

Not only is Al's career one of service, but he and Debbie have also served as foster parents for 30 kids in need of help! They have three adopted sons. Christopher and Willy were adopted in 1995 and 1996, and Maddex came into the family 4 years ago at the age of 12.

In February of this year, Al was diagnosed with aplastic anemia. Aplastic anemia is a rare and very serious condition that occurs when your body stops producing new blood cells. Affecting 300-600 people a year, the condition leaves the person fatigued and more prone to infections and uncontrolled bleeding. Al was going for blood infusions three times a week as his bone marrow had stopped producing any new blood cells. An experimental therapy was proposed and was pursued. The procedures were done at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville where Al would go three times a month. The therapy involves the introduction of equine (horse) T Cells to stimulate the body to fight that infection rather than attacking its own bone marrow. The results thus far are promising. Al still has to go to Vanderbilt every 6 weeks and has a team of doctors that check his entire his body for any possible complications and required infusions. With God's grace, Al is responding partially but the road to recovery is long. He is also still receiving blood infusions once a week. His energy level is improving, but he still needs assistance to walk. His goal is to be able to serve on the altar once again.

The cost of this treatment has been staggering. While Al has insurance, and there are some grants in process, and the total out-of-pocket costs are unknown at this point, they will be substantial. Any donations will go to cover the out-of-pocket medical costs, travel and material support for the family. Al is a private man and is not asking for help. This is being done as a personal service project to provide support for someone who has spent his life giving to others.

Whether you are able or unable to contribute at this time, I humbly ask you to pray that God's healing hand is on Deacon Al and the medical personnel providing care, and that the treatments continue to bear fruit and returns Al to full health!