Blaine's Memorial & Fight Against Aplastic Anemia

Blaine Owen Bachman is an eight-year-old boy who was full of life and loved every aspect of it. Blaine was raised in Apple Valley, California, attended Rio Vista School Elementary School, and was in third grade. Blaine had a love for animals, but he especially loved his family, pets, squishmallows, playing with his pirate ships, dinosaurs, and Legos, playing video games with his older sister, listening to FNAF music on full blast, spending time with his family, roasting smores, playing board games, making jokes, and going new places on vacation.

Blaine loved school, was always eager to learn new things, and was never afraid to ask any questions. Blaine had a brilliant mind and wanted to be a veterinarian when he grew up. Blaine had an old soul, and a kind heart that made him the most amazing son and brother a family could ever wish for. Blaine's love for life made everyone around him feel comforted and loved. His happiness and free spirit always found a way to bring the inner child out of those around him.

In February of 2022, Blaine became sick, and his parents took him to Loma Linda University Medical Center. Blaine spent a week in the hospital and was diagnosed with acute liver failure. After a week, Blaine was airlifted to UCLA – Mattel Children’s Hospital. Blaine spent seven weeks at UCLA and recovered on his own without needing a liver transplant.

In July of 2022, Blaine was readmitted to UCLA for an abnormal blood test result. While there, Blaine underwent several tests including a bone marrow biopsy, PICC-line placements, and various imaging. Ultimately, Blaine was diagnosed with Very Severe Aplastic Anemia, a rare life-threatening bone marrow disease that affects 1-3 people per million each year. Blaine's diagnosis required a bone marrow transplant to beat the disease. Blaine was released after about two months at the hospital while he awaited a bone marrow donor.

Despite all this, Blaine’s spirit remained strong. He fought relentlessly for months with the hopes that he would be able to go home and be with his family and pets again. Blaine made anyone who crossed his path smile. Even on his worst days he always gave a thumbs up and never complained about how bad he felt because he didn't want his parents to worry.

In late December, Blaine received a donor and was excited about his bone marrow transplant and the opportunity to have a chance at life again. A chance where he could see his sisters and parents every day, sleep in his bed, play with his toys, see his friends, go to school, and just live life. A life without constant medication, procedures, hospital rooms, and feeling crummy.

Blaine was on his first week of chemotherapy treatment for his transplant when he unexpectedly passed away; leaving us all absolutely devastated as he was and forever will be their universe. Blaine fought courageously and never lost hope of beating his disease. Blaine Owen Bachman was not only a son, brother, grandson, uncle, and cousin, but was our best friend and the glue that held us together.

Blaine loved his family, and we will always and forever love him with all our hearts and our lives will never be the same without him. Blaine and all of us planned to celebrate his “re-birthday” for his transplant, and instead, we were left trying to figure out how to get him back home and plan a funeral.

Blaine loved the beach, jumping in the ocean, collecting seashells, and building sandcastles. After searching for the last week, we located a resting place at Pacific View Memorial Park that has a view of the ocean and the nearby ships. This beach is special because Blaine played on the beach as a child and believed the nearby ships were Captain Jack Sparrow and his band of pirates sailing the ocean. This memorial park is extremely expensive, but as a tribute to Blaine and his courageous fight, we want to give him the resting place he deserves where he can look at the ocean and his pirate ships every day.

In lieu of cards and flowers, the family welcomes donations toward Blaine's funeral & memorial service, his burial plot, and his continued fight against Aplastic Anemia awareness.

***Update 2025

We are currently trying to raise funds to dedicate a baseball field in Blaine's name so his memory lives on through his friends (at Apple Valley Little League) where he spent every spring and fall playing ball with his friends since age 4.