SCID
Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) is a rare disease which causes patients to have little to no immune response. With practically no immune system, SCID patients are very susceptible to infection.
Bone marrow transplants have proven effective as a treatment for SCID. Immunoglobulin therapy and gene therapy have also shown promise. For patients who receive no treatment, the outlook is very grim.
Michael Mollis
No one ever expects their child to be diagnosed with a rare disease. Jeanette and Mike Mollis were certainly not prepared for the news of their son’s SCID diagnosis. After an easy labor and delivery, they were in shock to hear the required newborn metabolic screening indicated their son had SCID.
Even for Jeanette, who works at Women & Infants Hospital and does that very test herself for other newborns, she never thought her family would receive that kind of news. But she and her husband hit the ground running to try to find a treatment for their seven-week-old son named Michael.
They knew their best option was a bone marrow transplant. If he doesn’t receive one, a simple common cold could kill him.
In the meantime, they’re taking every precaution they can. Michael’s two older brothers aren’t even allowed to hold him for fear of spreading germs.
You can watch this short video explaining Michael’s story.
Be The Match
Through Be The Match, a donor registration event was organized by Jeanette’s coworkers for last Wednesday, May 15th. It was organized in conjunction with the Rhode Island Blood Center. The event allowed people to register easily to see if they were a match for Michael. However, if you weren’t able to attend, you can still register remotely as the whole process is digital. Registration only takes 10 minutes.
After you register, you’re sent a cheek swab kit which is easy and painless to use. Michael’s parents say that even if those who registered through their event don’t turn out to be an eligible donor for their son, they could be a donor for another patient in critical condition.
Hopeful donors who are between 18 and 44 can register for free. Those 45 to 60 may join with a donation of $100.
Michael’s parents say that its crucial that he receives the bone marrow transplant before he is 3.5/4 months old. At that age, newborns are much less protected from the antibodies they received from their mother while in the womb.
If you would like to donate to the family to support the transplant operation, click here. All of the funds raised will go toward Michael’s medical bills and the travel expenses that would be required to get him to Boston Children’s Hospital for his transplant. After the procedure, Michael will need to stay at least 25 days in the hospital to minimize his risk of infection. The initial fundraising goal is $50,000.
You can read more about this family’s SCID story here.
