Declan’s fight against Fanconi Anemia

This is Declan. He is 5-years-old and was diagnosed this part Fall with Fanconi Anemia, an extremely rare genetic disease causing bone marrow failure. Declan’s body cannot produce any red/white blood cells or platelets. Declan received a Bone Marrow Transplant on March 2nd and is now fighting for his life as his body works to accept the new cells he needs to live. Currently, he is battling with the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation as well as a blood infection.

Declan's mom, Cheri, is a single-mom who has put everything in life on hold to be with and care for Declan every day and night. We are in complete admiration of her strength during this time. Declan will continue to be admitted at the hospital for at least another 8 weeks. As you can imagine this has put and will continue to put a significant strain financially on Cheri who also has two other children at home being cared for by family. 

 

As a family and community, we are coming together to raise money to help with immediate expenses incurred during this difficult time including medical bills, medications, travel to and from the children’s hospital, rent, utilities, food, etc.

Most importantly, we ask for prayers for Declan, for Cheri, and for the family. We know Declan is loved by so many and thank all of you in advance for your support and prayers.

**UPDATE 3/13 from Cheri**

Declan was admitted on February 22, 2023 and started intensive chemotherapy and radiation immediately. He’s had a rough start, and has been pretty sick, but he’s pulling through one day at a time.

On March 2nd, Declan finally had his Bone Marrow Transplant! This day is considered a 2nd Birthday, so his sister and I threw him a “Happy New Birthday” party in his room.

Today is day +10 since his transplant, and we are still waiting to see if his body will accept or reject the new cells that were donated. This process can take a few more weeks, but in the meantime, he still needs blood transfusions and lots of medication to help him along.

Declan’s chemo burn is at its worst right now, which causes severe sores in his mouth, which travel down his throat into his stomach, bowels and rectum. The doctors have him on pain medicine around the clock to help manage the pain, but he is still really struggling.

Being that Declan has no immune system, he developed a blood infection that has caused a high fever and body aches. They have him on 3 antibiotics to fight that off as quickly as possible.

His hair just started falling out yesterday. I have tried to prepare him as much as possible for that to happen, so even though he was surprised, I think he is doing ok with accepting it. It’s been painful for Declan to talk, so when the doctor came in to check on him, he started pulling his hair out and handing it to him… I think that was Declan’s way of letting him know that it was happening.

Declan has had a hard time keeping his feeding tube down because he has been extremely nauseous and gets sick often. The nurses have had to re-insert his tube 3 times, which has been painful and upsetting for him. Although, he recently learned to hold his feeding tube down by his nose to keep it from coming out whenever he gets sick now.

Declan has been so brave through everything he has been through so far, and he continues to amaze me!! ❤️ - Cheri Dundas, Declan’s mom