Ashlynn transplant expenses
Donation protected
We are reluctantly asking for help for Ashlynns upcoming bone marrow transplant scheduled for the end of April. Ashlynn is 7 years old and shortly after birth went into respiratory distress and then congestive heart failure. She was severely anemic and doctors were unsure why. She received her first blood transfusion at just 12 hours old and have receieved one every 2-4 weeks since then. Ashlynn has had a total of 135 in her 7 years.
At 2 months old she was diagnosed with Diamond Blackfan Anemia DBA for short. DBA is a condition where the bone marrow does not produce red blood cells. There are three forms of treatment for DBA, one being blood transfusions, the other steroids, and the last is a bone marrow transplant. Ashlynn failed both of her steroid trials and has been receiving a blood transfusion every 3 weeks since birth. Along with the blood transfusions comes excess iron that also causes a multitude of issues such as organ failure and possible death. At 18 months old Ashlynn started her chelation therapy to try and remove the excess iron. She was given her needle and hooked to a pump 5 nights a week until another medicine was added to her daily regime because the pump itself wasnt doing the job. At 6 she was finally able to be taken off the pump but she still continues the chelating medicine orally.
The decision to put Ashlynn through the bone marrow transplant was one of the hardest decisions we have ever had to make. The transplant is going to be better for her as far as quality and length of life. Its very risky because she will have to endure high doses of chemotherapy and then the actual transplant. She will be up to Johns Hopkins hospital in Baltimore while her dad and her brother stay in Salisbury. She is not allowed to leave the Baltimore belt way because her immune system is going to be extremely compromised. Ashlynn will also be in isolation and not be able to do the things she loves such as swimming, gymnastics, soccer, softball, and spending time with her friends.
Our family is going to be apart for awhile while Ashlynn and her mom stay in Baltimore in apartments there while her dad and brother are in Salisbury. We will have to maintain two households. I am unable to work during this whole process and have taken time off because Ashlynn has a lot of doctor appointments happening before she is able to go through the transplant. Any help will be very appreciated through this rough time for our family and we thank you in advance.
At 2 months old she was diagnosed with Diamond Blackfan Anemia DBA for short. DBA is a condition where the bone marrow does not produce red blood cells. There are three forms of treatment for DBA, one being blood transfusions, the other steroids, and the last is a bone marrow transplant. Ashlynn failed both of her steroid trials and has been receiving a blood transfusion every 3 weeks since birth. Along with the blood transfusions comes excess iron that also causes a multitude of issues such as organ failure and possible death. At 18 months old Ashlynn started her chelation therapy to try and remove the excess iron. She was given her needle and hooked to a pump 5 nights a week until another medicine was added to her daily regime because the pump itself wasnt doing the job. At 6 she was finally able to be taken off the pump but she still continues the chelating medicine orally.
The decision to put Ashlynn through the bone marrow transplant was one of the hardest decisions we have ever had to make. The transplant is going to be better for her as far as quality and length of life. Its very risky because she will have to endure high doses of chemotherapy and then the actual transplant. She will be up to Johns Hopkins hospital in Baltimore while her dad and her brother stay in Salisbury. She is not allowed to leave the Baltimore belt way because her immune system is going to be extremely compromised. Ashlynn will also be in isolation and not be able to do the things she loves such as swimming, gymnastics, soccer, softball, and spending time with her friends.
Our family is going to be apart for awhile while Ashlynn and her mom stay in Baltimore in apartments there while her dad and brother are in Salisbury. We will have to maintain two households. I am unable to work during this whole process and have taken time off because Ashlynn has a lot of doctor appointments happening before she is able to go through the transplant. Any help will be very appreciated through this rough time for our family and we thank you in advance.
Organizer
Patricia Truse
Organizer
Salisbury, MD