Talon's bone marrow transplant & Aplastic Anemia journey

We are raising funds to help with bills, travel expenses, meals and support while I am out of work for several months to care for our son. Talon who is 10 years old, was diagnosed with Severe Aplastic Anemia in January 2024, after being sent to the ER in November of 2023 with a Hemoglobin of 4.3, Platelets of 8,000 and close to no Neutrophils. Results of a bone marrow biopsy showed less than 5% cellularity at the time when a child his age is supposed to have over 80%. After several genetic & various testing, it was determined that it was aplastic anemia which is a form of bone marrow failure. Talons bone marrow does not make enough red, white and platelet cells for his body.

He has spent quite a bit of time in and out of the hospital from November 2023-March 2024 due to various infections, PICC line placement, G-tube placement & treatment. In January he started immunosuppressive therapy, since then it was determined that he has had "no response" due to the fact of needing injections to stimulate neutrophil growth. Although he has had some response with his levels and was transfusion free from March until July. He has received over 50 platelet transfusions and over 15 blood transfusions since November, his most recent blood transfusion was in July.

Since then he has to go to MUSC Children's Hospital cancer & blood disorder clinic twice a week for labs, antifungal, antibiotics and injections. Talon is also on daily medications, round the clock close monitoring on his hydration and nutrition. He has also been out of school during this time and is completing home school.

Since Talon is considered to have no response from treatment, he was referred to have a bone marrow transplant. Since his brother was not a match, he will receive a transplant from an unrelated donor on October 29th, 2024. He will be admitted on October 22nd to have a port placed the next day. He will then begin Chemotherapy, total body radiation and another round of ATGAM (from a rabbit.)

Once the transplant is completed, he will stay in the hospital for 5-6 weeks total. Once discharged, we will be required to stay within 25 miles from the hospital for a total of 100 days from transplant day. We will be required to stay in a rental to get him to clinic several times a week during that time.

If you feel led to help us during this time, we would greatly appreciate it!

Other ways to show support are to sign up to donate blood at your local blood drive and if you are under 40 years old, sign up to be a bone marrow donor!

Follow us on social media for updates on his journey @ Talon Tough