Fight For Riley

On December 3, 2017 Riley was given the initial diagnosis of leukemia. After further testing and a bone marrow biopsy, Riley was officially diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia on December 5th.  After a week stay in the hospital Riley went back and did four days of chemotherapy treatment. 
Since then, Riley has been in and out of the hospital for blood and platelets transfusions. 

Every dollar will directly benefit this amazing little boy and ensure his parents have every resource available to provide the very expensive treatment that he requires. Riley currently goes to Ft. Worth six  times monthly for scheduled visits. Although, there have been several unexpected visits and over night stays. 

Join us and help Fight for Riley! 

Aplastic anemia (a-PLAS-tik uh-NEE-me-uh) is a blood disorder in which the body's bone marrow doesn't make enough new blood cells. Bone marrow is a sponge-like tissue inside the bones. It makes stem cells that develop into red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets (PLATE-lets).

Red blood cells carry oxygen to all parts of your body. They also carry carbon dioxide (a waste product) to your lungs to be exhaled. White blood cells help your body fight infections. Platelets are blood cell fragments that stick together to seal small cuts or breaks on blood vessel walls and stop bleeding.

It's normal for blood cells to die. The lifespan of red blood cells is about 120 days. White blood cells live less than a day. Platelets live about 6 days. As a result, your bone marrow must constantly make new blood cells.

If your bone marrow can't make enough new blood cells, many health problems can occur. These problems include irregular heartbeats called arrhythmias (ah-RITH-me-ahs), an enlarged heart, heart failure, infections, and bleeding. Severe aplastic anemia can even cause death.


In people who have aplastic anemia, the body doesn't make enough red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. This is because the bone marrow's stem cells are damaged. (Aplastic anemia also is called bone marrow failure.)

Many diseases, conditions, and factors can damage the stem cells. These conditions can be acquired or inherited. "Acquired" means you aren't born with the condition, but you develop it. "Inherited" means your parents passed the gene for the condition on to you.

In many people who have aplastic anemia, the cause is unknown.


Aplastic anemia is a rare but serious disorder. It can develop suddenly or slowly. The disorder tends to get worse over time, unless its cause is found and treated. Treatments for aplastic anemia include blood transfusions, blood and marrow stem cell transplants, and medicines.

 Blood and marrow stem cell transplants may offer a cure for some people who have aplastic anemia.