Help Owen beat Osteopetrosis - We need your help !
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Jeff and Erin’s precious 9-month old son Owen was recently diagnosed with Osteopetrosis this October. Osteopetrosis is a rare genetic disorder that causes bones to grow abnormally and become overly dense. The bones become brittle and can fracture easily when they become excessively dense. This disorder can lead to deafness, blindness, and thrombocytopenia; if left untreated, it can lead to death.
The only way to treat this disorder is with aggressive chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant. Owen will begin this process in the next two weeks at Children’s Hospital in Boston. In the time leading up to the transplant, Owen will go under chemotherapy. After the Stem Cell transplant, Owen and his family will remain at children’s hospital for 3 months. The family will need to remain in total isolation to keep Owen safe, preventing both Jeff and Erin from returning to their jobs anytime soon.
Because of how rare this disorder is, Owen and his parents will have to continue to travel back to Boston weekly after the initial three month stay in order to get Owen to the best doctors who have dealt with this particular illness.
This means, travel expenses, lengthy hospital stays, and Jeff and Erin being away from work. These days and weeks are not just going to take an emotional toll, but a very physical & financial one as well.
This is obviously very scary for the Bailey family as they learn more about Owen’s illness. There are still a lot of questions that they simply do not have answers to - yet. Please, be patient and considerate as they navigate this incredibly difficult process.
Jeff and Erin are two of the kindest and most humble people you will ever meet. They are the kind of people who will do anything for you & never expect anything in return. Jeff and Erin are both from West Springfield and still reside there today. Jeff is a full-time firefighter/Paramedic for the West Springfield FD and is constantly giving back to his community.
We are asking for your support. Any donations will go directly to the Bailey family to help offset the costs of medical expenses, travel, hotel accommodations, meals and trying to be the incredible support system for their son during this very difficult time.
This was supposed to be Owen’s year of first’s, including his first Christmas and first birthday, which will now be spent in isolation at Children’s Hospital away from many of his direct family. We encourage you to donate to support this family in a time of need. If you are unable to donate, pray, give and help as you can.
Thank you,
West Springfield Firefighters
Organizer and beneficiary
West Springfield Firefighters
Organizer
West Springfield, MA
Jeffrey Bailey
Beneficiary