Support Little Isabelle's BMT

Isabelle, or Izzy as she is known to most, is our beautiful 10 year old niece. She loves ballet, listening to music, reading and spending time with her family. On the outside, she looks like any other 10 year old..... beautiful, smart and vibrant. What some do not realize is that Izzy has a hereditary blood disorder called Beta Thalassemia Major or Cooley's Anemia. Izzy's body is unable to produce red blood cells to help her grow physically and developmentally. Since the age of 11 months, she has received blood transfusions every 3 to 4 weeks. Because of these transfusions, she has been able to grow and flourish. At the age of 2 years old, we were told that a bone marrow transplant would be her only cure. People who know Izzy, know that she doesn’t let this take away from her happiness and love for life. She didn’t choose this life. It chose her and she, in turn, has not let it define who she is but has used it to educate anyone who wants to know about blood disorders, blood donation or bone marrow donation. Now, at the age of 10, she has been able to share her own story with others and giving them hope, inspiration and strength.

Izzy will be heading to Boston Children's Hospital for her bone marrow transplant at the end of August this year. Her body will be put through a lot as she goes through the transplant process. She will have her immune system wiped out as the chemo she receives wipes out her bone marrow to make room for her baby sister’s cord blood and bone marrow. That is right. We said her donor is her own baby sister. Average hospitalization is about a month and a half to two months and that is without complications. As always, Izzy has many cheering her on but none are as important as her parents. Her parents will be taking time to care for Isabelle during and after her hospitalization. With that being said, Izzy’s dad will be taking leave from work during her hospitalization while Izzy’s mom will take leave from work once Izzy is home. Her recovery can take from 6 months to a year depending on if there are complications. This period of time will be long and hard for the family, as they will not be working for some time. We have been blessed with so many family and friends asking how they can help. We believe this gofundme will help with daily expenses, so that Izzy's parents can focus on taking care of Izzy and also her two little sisters. It is hard taking care of a sick child and two other kids and taking leave from work.

We, her aunt and uncle, are asking for help. Please consider donating to this gofundme, to help the family. The family and Izzy have also requested that, if you are able, to make an appointment to donate blood or to register to be a bone marrow donor. This past year, Izzy was able to meet her blood donors and it was a great experience for recipient and donor alike. Izzy has asked to give others the chance that she has been given. This is her way of giving back to those who have given her so much.
Thank you so much,
Brian and Annie