In just a few short weeks, 9 year old Carter Harbron will begin a life-saving bone marrow transplant - and his family is now facing not only another incredibly difficult chapter in his intense medical journey, but an overwhelming financial burden no family is ever prepared for.

Carter is one of those extraordinary kids whose courage, resilience, and spirit have already carried him through more than most of us can imagine, especially for a child. And through every step, the Harbrons have met each challenge with unwavering love and determination.

Carter has already shown extraordinary courage, bravely fighting Stage 4B Hodgkin’s Lymphoma last year. Now, with a new diagnosis of a rare immunodeficiency, he is preparing to endure months of treatment, hospitalization, and recovery far from home - all in the hope of a healthy future.

Throughout this process, Laura will be unable to work as she cares for Carter full-time, while Steven’s income will be significantly reduced. At the same time, the family must temporarily relocate to Boston for months, taking on the heavy weight of housing costs, daily expenses, and the many unexpected challenges that come with long-term medical care away from home.

This page was created to help lift some of the weight of the very real and immediate financial burden they are facing - to give the Harbron family the space to focus on what matters most: being by Carter’s side, supporting his treatment and healing during an incredibly difficult time.

Every donation, every share, and every show of support truly makes a difference, no matter how small.

If you’d like to follow Carter’s journey, you can stay connected through his CaringBridge page and Carter’s Crew on Instagram linked below.

Thank you for surrounding Carter and the entire Harbron family with love, strength, and support when they need it most!

If you’d prefer to support the Harbron family directly via Venmo, you can send your donation to Laura at @Laura-Harbron (last four digits: 9028)

Carter’s CaringBridge

Carter’s Crew Instagram

DETAILS:

Carter fought stage 4b Hodgkins Lymphoma from February - June 2024. 

He is now faced with a new, life-altering challenge: a diagnosis of XMEN Syndrome, a rare genetic immunodeficiency.

The only path forward is a bone marrow transplant at Boston Children’s Hospital/Dana-Farber. 

This is not a single procedure, but a grueling months-long process.

Starting May 8th, Carter will begin the transplant process. This involves a central line placement and 9 days of conditioning using intense, high-dose chemotherapy to clear his bone marrow and suppress his immune system so it will accept the new donor cells.

In-Patient Hospital Stay: Carter will receive Cooper's (his 14 year old brother) stem cell donation on May 18th. Carter will be admitted to the hospital for an estimated 6 weeks. He will be at his most vulnerable as he waits for engraftment, the moment the new cells begin to grow and produce a healthy immune system.

The Boston Residency: Even after he is discharged from the hospital, the Harbrons must remain in Boston until at least September. Carter will require close monitoring at the clinic to manage potential complications like infections or Graft-versus-Host Disease. This means the family will be living out of a hotel or temporary housing for nearly four months.

Why the Harbrons need our help:

Total Loss of Educator Income: Laura, a teacher, is currently unable to work. Her full-time focus must be on Carter’s intensive treatment, advocacy, and the long road of recovery following the transplant.

Major Budget Gaps: While Steven may need to rely on FMLA and New York Paid Family Leave, these programs cover only a portion of his usual income, leaving a significant gap in the family’s budget. Donations received will provide the financial flexibility for him to take the necessary time off and use paid leave as needed throughout this extended process.


Unexpected Logistics & Daily Costs: Living out of a hospital and temporary housing for months brings a mountain of "hidden" costs. This includes daily parking fees at the hospital, fuel for constant travel, and the high cost of meals while away from home.

Care for Tucker (Their Labradoodle): Because of the displacement and the high-stress environment, the family has the added expense of boarding their dog, Tucker. Due to his anxious tendencies, he requires a professional boarding environment where he can be safe and calm while the house is in transition.