Connolly's Bone Marrow Fund

Meet Connolly!  He is a rambunctious, energetic, spirited, little 2-year-old guy.  He loves the Chicago Cubs and his TaGgies...which he calls "Lovies".  Connolly was diagnosed in November 2014 with a rare form of blood cancer called Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) and a rare bone marrow disease called Aplastic Anemia.  

MDS develops in the bone marrow and keeps Connolly’s body from properly producing enough blood cells that function properly.  Aplastic Anemia results when the bone marrow produces too few red blood cells, white blood cells (neutrophils (ANC’s)), and platelets.  This means the little man has no immune system and can’t fight off illnesses. Connolly's only chance at a cure is a non-relative bone marrow transplant.

Connolly was admitted to the OHSCU (Oncology Hematology Specialized Care Unit) at the University of Nebraska Medical Center on March 9, 2015 for his bone marrow transplant.   Connolly endured 8 straight grueling days of High-Dose Chemotherapy and on March 20, 2015 he received his bone marrow transplant.  He was very sick at that time and became gravely ill at which point he was transfer to the PICU  (pediatric intensive care unit).  After 8 days and many touch and go's, Connolly was transferred back to the OHSCU.  Easter Sunday he began to show signs of a rather serious rash and after a few days it was diagnosed as GVHD (graft versus host disease).  Which was treated with a 10 day step down of steroids.  On the first day of no steroids the rash began to flare back up.  It got worse and was tested again to verify GVHD.  It was treated again with steroids, but this time a 10 week step down.  Connolly was discharged from the hospital to the Lied Transplant Hospital Hotel on April 29, 2015 with his Mom (who had been at side 100% from day one).  Nine days later he began to feel sick and the next day he spiked a high temperature.   He was readmitted to the OHSCU.  It was found a couple of days later that he had blood bacteremia staphylococcus infection.  He lost his central line and had to undergo a surgery to have a new central line placed.  He was placed on i.v. antibiotics for 28 days and discharged back to the Lied Transplant Hospital Hotel 9 days after admission.  He remained at the hotel until June 21, 2015.  At which time he was allowed to return home. 

Connolly's care is highly expensive. Connolly and his mom must travel 45 miles each way once a week for Clinic appointments,  monitoring of his blood levels, transfusions and or infusions.  He has P.T. twice a week and has a home health nurse come to the home once a week for blood draws.  Connolly's mom provides all his home cares herself.  Any time his temperature reaches 100.4, he must be hospitalized for precautionary measures.  He wears a mask at all times he is not in the home.  This is to protect him against germs.  Connolly's family tries to bear this all themselves, not wanting to burden anyone else. However, they're swamped.

As a dear friend of the family, I love their children as my own. Connolly's parents don't want to burden others, but they just can't do this alone.  I want to help take some of the financial burden and worry away. For this reason, I have created this site.  All money donated will go to the cost of insurance co-pays, premiums and other items not covered by insurance, medicine, the endless trips to and from the hospital, meals, time Connolly's parents can't work, cab fare, the bone marrow transplant and any other related expenses that may come up.

I thank each and every one of you for taking the time to read this and considering to help Connolly and his family.  I will regularly provide updates on Connolly’s condition.  Any support you can provide, even just sharing this page, is greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

You can follow Connolly on his Facebook page Connolly's Diagnosed Journey .

https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1669038829989529

I also encourage people to check out Be The Match at this link http://bethematch.org/ to see if they are a match for a desperately needed bone marrow transplant. There are never enough donors and you can save a life.