Stay Strong LDP

Landon Drew Policastro was born on March 2, 2016. Shortly after we got home from the hospital we got a call that said he had an abnormal result from the state newborn screening test. We went back to the hospital to get a few more blood tests to confirm. After a few weeks of meeting with doctors and gaining more information, he was ultimately diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder called SCID (Severe Combined Immune Deficiency), otherwise known as the "bubble boy" disease. It's a combined absence of T-lymphocyte, B-lymphocyte, and NK-lymphocyte function. These cells play important roles in helping the immune system battle bacteria, viruses and fungi that cause infections.

SCID can be "cured" by receiving a bone marrow transplant. Luckily, we found a cord blood match from a donor rather quickly. In the meantime, he needs to be in isolation and take several medications.

Landon went through a week of chemotherapy then received his transplant on June 10th at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Our stay at the hospital will be for about one month. From there we will need to find temporary housing in Philadelphia for another two months for follow-up appointments and to be close by for any complications. However,the journey does not end here because it will take about a year for engraftment and for his immune system to develop. Right now we wait, we hope, and we pray.

At only 3 months old, Landon has gone through more than most people will go through in a lifetime. However, he has been resilient thus far and keeps a smile on his face! Most of all, he still loves to play in his gym!

Thank you to everyone for your generosity!

Love,
Megan & Steve