Cole's ALD Battle

Cole is such a great kid that truly makes everyone he meets smile.  He lost his cousin, Devan, to Adrenoleukodistrophy (ALD). Two weeks after the family lost Devan to ALD, Cole, was diagnosed with the same. See below for more information on ALD.  Cole entered the hospital October 6th (pictured above).  Cole will start chemotherapy October 7th-13th then move right to bone marrow transplant on October 15 or 16.  He will be in the hospital for the next 6-8 weeks in isolation.  :-(  This will be so hard on Cole and his family in so many ways; emotionally, physically, and financially.  The hope is that this site can at least help Cole get the treatment he needs.  Please help support Cole's fight against ALD.  Every little bit helps alleviate the financial stress so that the family can focus on Cole.  We appreciate all prayers, love, support, and anything else that you can do to help with the fight.  Cole is ready for the battle of his life and we want to give him every chance we can to help him along the way.  Thanks in advance for your support.

Adrenoleukodystrophy, or ALD, is a deadly genetic disease that affects 1 in 18 000 people. It most severely affects boys and men. This brain disorder destroys myelin, the protective sheath that surrounds the brain's neurons -- the nerve cells that allow us to think and to control our muscles. It knows no racial, ethnic or geographic barriers.

The most devastating form of ALD appears in childhood, generally between the ages of four and ten years old. Normal, healthy boys suddenly begin to regress. At first, they simply show behavioral problems, such as withdrawal or difficulty concentrating. Gradually, as the disease ravages their brain, their symptoms grow worse, including blindness and deafness, seizures, loss of muscle control, and progressive dementia. This relentless downward spiral leads to either death or permanent disability, usually within 2 to 5 years from diagnosis.  http://www.stopald.org/what-is-ald