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Help support Damian’s SCID Journey
Dear family, friends, & community,
Damian is a beautiful 4 week old baby boy who was diagnosed with a disease called Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) at only 4 days old. SCID is a very rare and severe genetic disorder that causes his body to have no immune system - its nickname is “Bubble boy disease”, which some people may know from an old 1970s movie. Babies with SCID are very susceptible to infections, and without a functioning immune system these infections would result in loss of life by 1 or 2 years old. The cure involves a very long process of hospitalization (to protect him from the world’s germs), chemotherapy, bone marrow transplantation, and many - MANY - hospital visits and blood tests.
Since the diagnosis, Damian & his Mom ( Gabriela ) have both been admitted to the hospital for what is called “reverse isolation” to prevent him from getting sick by exposure to any virus, bacteria, or other infection. Damian has been undergoing numerous tests weekly, is receiving multiple medications, and is being helped by pediatric specialist doctors who are working hard to devise the best possible treatment plan.
This past week, a bone marrow match was found and Damian will receive a bone marrow transplant within the next few months. Before and for months after this surgery, both baby Damian and Gabriela will have to stay admitted in the hospital to continue reverse isolation. Unfortunately for Mom, this also means being away from home, her other baby boy, and being unable to return to work until Damian has received all the treatments needed to allow his new immune system to grow and strengthen. This looks like a minimum 6 months to 1 year journey, one filled with immense stress and both physical and emotional exhaustion for their family.
Gabriela is not the type of person to ask for help, so - with her permission - we as her friends and family are reaching out to the community for assistance in this profoundly difficult time. Financial stress isn’t something we want them to worry about.
If you’re able, please consider donating to help with the loss of wages, travel, medical expenses, and other needs that may arise along this journey. Anything and everything helps.
Thank you in advance, and please keep Damian, Gabriela, and their entire family in your prayers!
Dear family, friends, & community,
Damian is a beautiful 4 week old baby boy who was diagnosed with a disease called Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) at only 4 days old. SCID is a very rare and severe genetic disorder that causes his body to have no immune system - its nickname is “Bubble boy disease”, which some people may know from an old 1970s movie. Babies with SCID are very susceptible to infections, and without a functioning immune system these infections would result in loss of life by 1 or 2 years old. The cure involves a very long process of hospitalization (to protect him from the world’s germs), chemotherapy, bone marrow transplantation, and many - MANY - hospital visits and blood tests.
Since the diagnosis, Damian & his Mom ( Gabriela ) have both been admitted to the hospital for what is called “reverse isolation” to prevent him from getting sick by exposure to any virus, bacteria, or other infection. Damian has been undergoing numerous tests weekly, is receiving multiple medications, and is being helped by pediatric specialist doctors who are working hard to devise the best possible treatment plan.
This past week, a bone marrow match was found and Damian will receive a bone marrow transplant within the next few months. Before and for months after this surgery, both baby Damian and Gabriela will have to stay admitted in the hospital to continue reverse isolation. Unfortunately for Mom, this also means being away from home, her other baby boy, and being unable to return to work until Damian has received all the treatments needed to allow his new immune system to grow and strengthen. This looks like a minimum 6 months to 1 year journey, one filled with immense stress and both physical and emotional exhaustion for their family.
Gabriela is not the type of person to ask for help, so - with her permission - we as her friends and family are reaching out to the community for assistance in this profoundly difficult time. Financial stress isn’t something we want them to worry about.
If you’re able, please consider donating to help with the loss of wages, travel, medical expenses, and other needs that may arise along this journey. Anything and everything helps.
Thank you in advance, and please keep Damian, Gabriela, and their entire family in your prayers!
Organizer and beneficiary
Gabriela Hernandez
Beneficiary