Cure 4 Jacksontag:,2007:/152006-10-30T20:51:38ZMovable Type 3.33Update for Septembertag:72.34.32.113,2006:/~atrevino/cure4jackson//15.15272006-09-17T16:40:57Z2006-10-30T20:51:38ZI'm very sorry that I haven't updated in a while. Some of you already know that we've had a rough time over the last few months. Jackson's had a few trips to the hospital, but luckily not long term stays....
I'm very sorry that I haven't updated in a while. Some of you already know that we've had a rough time over the last few months. Jackson's had a few trips to the hospital, but luckily not long term stays. Right now he is battling a strep infection, but seems to be holding his own. He's a tough kid. Unfortunately, even these small illnesses have taken their toll on him. He's lost a few pounds. I'm afraid that Ally might pass him up in weight pretty soon. He's down to about 36 pounds.
You can see from the pictures that we bought their Halloween costumes today. Jackson saw the Elmo costume and just had to have it. When we got home, I wanted them to try on their costumes to make sure that they fit. They both wore their costumes for quite a while and didn't want to take them off. Ally is a fairy princess. Of course, she'll tell you she's a fairytale. Either way...she's adorable. They are both really excited for Halloween.
Most of you already know that we had another failed IVF attempt. That makes 6 for us. Steve and I are both pretty disappointed and frustrated. Our doctors told us that we needed to target a transplant for Jackson by age 5. He turns 5 next month. I've been doing some research and have found a clinic in Colorado that I've contacted. They are supposed to have the highest success rates in the US. I've also found what I hope is the answer for improving our chances. It seems that immunological function plays a big factor in IVF success. There are several websites that I've found that talk about reproductive immunology and specific tests that should be considered when you have several failed IVF attempts. I'm going to talk to the clinic in Colorado about having these tests run before the next cycle. I hope and pray that this is the answer for us.
Please keep us in your prayers. We need to find a bone marrow donor for Jackson. Also, my Dad had surgery last month. He's been in and out of the hospital, and it's been a slow recovery. Please also keep him in your prayers.
Happy Mother's Daytag:72.34.32.113,2006:/~atrevino/cure4jackson//15.15262006-05-15T18:58:02Z2006-10-30T20:51:38ZI read this message on the cure4jack blog and I had to copy it. Charlotte - I hope you don't mind. The Chosen Mothers by Erma Bombeck Most women become a mother by accident, some by choice and a few...
The Chosen Mothers
by Erma Bombeck
Most women become a mother by accident, some by choice
and a few by habit. Did you ever wonder how mother's of
children with life threatening illnesses are chosen?
Somehow, I visualize God hovering over earth
selecting His instruments for progagation with great care and
deliberation. As He observes, He instructs His angels
to make notes in a giant ledger.......
"Armstrong, Beth, son, patron saint Matthew"
Forrest, Marjorie, daughter, patron saint Cecilia"
Rutledge, Carrie, twins, partron saint Greard."
Finally, He passes a name to an angel and says, "Give
her a child with cancer." The angel is curious. "Why this
one, God? She's so happy."
"Exactly," smiles God, "Could I give a child with cancer
a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel."
"But, does she have patience?" asks the angel,
"I don't want her to have too much patience or she will
drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and
resentment wears off, she will handle it."
"I watched her today," said God. "She has that feeling
of self-independence that is so rare and necessary in a mother.
You see, the child I'm going to give her has it's own world.
She has to make it live in her world and that's not going to be easy."
"But Lord, I don't think she believes in you," said the angel.
"No matter, I can fix that. This one is perfect. She has just
enough selfishness."
The angel gasps, "Selfishness? Is that a virtue?"
God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child
occasionally, she'll never survive. Yes, here is the woman I will bless
with a child less than perfect. She doesn't realize it yet,
but she is to be envied. She will never take anything her child does for
granted. She will never consider a single step
ordinary. I will permit her to see clearly the things I see....ignorance,
cruelty, prejudice....and allow her to rise above them."
"And what about her patron saint" asks the angel, his pen poised in mid-air.
God smiles and says..."A mirror will suffice."]]>
Happy Easter and Thank You!tag:72.34.32.113,2006:/~atrevino/cure4jackson//15.15252006-04-16T10:27:22Z2006-10-30T20:51:38ZHappy Easter everyone! I uploaded a few pictures of Jackson and Ally's Easter egg hunt. They had a great time. The Easter Bunny put money in their eggs, so they are looking forward to spending it. When I asked Ally...
Happy Easter everyone! I uploaded a few pictures of Jackson and Ally's Easter egg hunt. They had a great time. The Easter Bunny put money in their eggs, so they are looking forward to spending it. When I asked Ally what she was going to buy, she said "Toys R Us". She has a little over $7, so I'm not sure if she can get all of "Toys R Us", but we already have about 1/2 of the store in our living room anyway.
They colored eggs yesterday and finger painted, so we had a bit of a mess, but it was worth it. I think that Ally may have misunderstood the idea behind finger painting - put the paint on the paper, not on you. She had a lot of fun!
I want to thank the Todd Krampitz Foundation for inviting us to come out and speak about bone marrow donations. Their website is www.ToddKrampitzFoundation.org. I wasn't able to attend, as I had a conference that was already scheduled, so Steve had to go by himself. They made a huge poster of Jackson that they had at their luncheon. We have it in our kitchen right now. It's a picture of Jackson in his Blue's Clue's halloween costume. Steve was a guest speaker at their luncheon that followed their golf tournament. We appreciate the opportunity to speak about Jackson and to discuss the importance of donating bone marrow.
Some of you may be aware that our friend Ken Merrick was playing poker for Jackson. He plays in tournaments, and decided that he would donate a portion of his proceeds to help support Jackson. He won the preliminary tournament in Reno, and took 31st place in the final. As a result, he made a significant donation to help us pay for our treatment for Jackson. I was very surprised and touched by his generousity. This will get us well on our way to paying for our next IVF treatment.
So many other have provided support to us lately, either by organizing bone marrow drives, donations, getting the word out etc. We are overwhelmed by the support. It would be impossible to mention everyone, but I'd like to mention a few.
Soltex Federal Credit Union posted a flyer about Jackson's condition and is taking donations at their branches. I'd like to thank both Soltex FCU and all of the members who have supported our cause.
Mira Bryant contacted the Deer Park Chamber of Commerce and they have distributed a flyer with their monthly mailer to all of their members explaining our situation and telling them how they can help.
The Hampton Inn in Deer Park has ordered several items to support our fundraising.
Tanya Battle is organizing a bone marrow drive at her church (more details to come) and has made buttons with Jackson's picture to bring attention to our cause. She's done so many other things to help us, it would be impossible to name them all.
Lisa Adams and David Calvo, in addition to being a sympathetic ear for me, have helped support our fundraising efforts.
Tracey Tinnermon, Joe Marzullo, Viola Chapa and Melodie Cook are all Going Green, by wearing their wristbands.
My Aunt Dee and her granddaughter, Brittany, have supported our fundraising efforts, and also sent Jackson and Ally an Easter care package. It had toys and candy for the kids as well as adorable letters for both of the kids from Brittany. The kids really loved it! Ally is eating a marshmallow bunny from the package right now.
There are so many others who have helped us in our efforts. We are so touched by the number of people who want to help. Thank you to everyone.
Finally, I'd like to thank everyone who has added Jackson to their prayer lists and who are individually praying for him. I'd like to ask that you continue to pray for Jackson and to add him to prayer lists. We strongly believe in the power of prayer. I would also like for you to pray for two little boys who have recently undergone bone marrow/stem cell transplants. Both Jack Hagelin and Simon Gutierrez have a NEMO mutation, just like Jackson. Jack is 3 and Simon is 7 months. They are both fighting for their lives right now. Please pray that both of them have engraftment and don't have any serious complications from the transplant. They are tough little guys.
Jack's website is www.cure4jack.org and Simon's is www.cure4simon.org.
--- Brenda
Thank You, Mr. Kentag:72.34.32.113,2006:/~atrevino/cure4jackson//15.15242006-03-26T14:25:54Z2006-10-30T20:51:38ZI want to thank someone who did something very special for our family. It was very unexpected, and I don't think that words can express our gratitude. So, the kids and I made a sign to say Thank you. You...
I want to thank someone who did something very special for our family. It was very unexpected, and I don't think that words can express our gratitude. So, the kids and I made a sign to say Thank you. You can view in our pictures.
Are you wearing your Green?tag:72.34.32.113,2006:/~atrevino/cure4jackson//15.15232006-03-17T17:11:43Z2006-10-30T20:51:38ZWe have our wristbands that we are selling to raise money for Jackson's treatment. As I said before, they are green in honor of Ally "The Green One" (See Background Blog Entry). In honor of St. Patricks Day, be sure...
We have our wristbands that we are selling to raise money for Jackson's treatment. As I said before, they are green in honor of Ally "The Green One" (See Background Blog Entry). In honor of St. Patricks Day, be sure to wear your Green One. I've added a picture to our file showing Mira Bryant and her family wearing their Green Ones. Mira is the Administrative Assistant at our plant in Deer Park, and has always been very supportive of our family. She's been there since the beginning when Jackson got sick the 1st time, and knows how hard this has been on all of us. I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to her. I know she's cried a few tears on our behalf over the years.
If you want your own Green One, you can order them from our store. We also have cure4jackson t-shirts available.
I spent the day today attending the funeral of the father of one of our employees. It was a long day (7 hours in the car), but well worth it. The gentleman who passed away had 6 sons. Each of them got up and talked about their Dad. They all said that their Dad was their best friend and they thanked him for teaching them how to be men. They thanked him for teaching them how to be husbands and fathers and church members and community leaders. it really touched me. What is a better measure of the success of a life than to have your children say such beautiful things about you. He has left an incredible legacy.
Happy St. Patricks Day everyone. Go Green!!
Ally Turns 2 and Results from the Bone Marrow Drivetag:72.34.32.113,2006:/~atrevino/cure4jackson//15.15222006-03-13T12:10:31Z2006-10-30T20:51:38ZAlly turned 2 on Saturday, March 11th. When we told her that we were going to go to the zoo for her birthday, she got this surprised look on her face and said "There's animals there!" We decorated the house...
Ally turned 2 on Saturday, March 11th. When we told her that we were going to go to the zoo for her birthday, she got this surprised look on her face and said "There's animals there!" We decorated the house with Dora the Explorer decorations and balloons so that she could see them when she woke up. She was so excited! We also got her a Dora the Explorer doll house. She got out of bed and went straight to the house and started playing. She LOVES Dora. Her Grandma and Grandpa Schneiders joined us for the day. Everyone had to wear Dora party hats. Check our our pictures to see the fun.
We were able to add about 400 people to the national registry at the drive put on by Channel 13 on Friday. Many of the people coming in said that they were coming to try to help Jackson. It's very overwhelming to see so many people that don't even know us that want to help. Never doubt that there are a lot of wonderful people in this world! Thanks to Christi Myers. She is the reporter responsible for the story and the drive. She's been a tremdous help to our family. It's obvious that Christi really cares about the people that she is reporting about.
See below for the story on the abc13 website. The link is http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=health&id=3979442
You could be a match for JacksonYoung boy with rare condition needs bone marrow transplant
By Christi Myers
(3/10/06 - KTRK/HOUSTON) - Imagine learning that your baby has a genetic mutation that will keep him from living to be an adult. Now imagine that there's only one cure, but you can't buy it. You have to depend on a stranger. That has happened to a member of our Channel 13 family. Two years ago, we told you little Jackson Biven's story. He's the son of one of our producers. But we still have no happy ending.
Jackson is four-and-a-half years old. He's getting therapy to learn how to eat. Skull tapping is designed to help him swallow.
"He ate two of them last Thursday," said Amanda Letsos with Texas Children's Hospital home health, referring to goldfish crackers. "Today, we're shooting for three, so we'll see."
It's a victory for his parents, Brenda and Steve Bivens. Their son has a rare genetic disorder of the immune system.
"He gets a lot of stomach pain which then shuts down his eating," said Brenda.
Jackson spent much of his life in the hospital, including his first birthday.
"What's scary is not knowing if your child is going to make it or not," Steve, a staffer at Channel 13, told us.
Jackson stays home away from germs that his immune system cannot fight. But he still gets sick from naturally occurring bacteria in his own body.
"Jackson's immune system does not work basically at all. There's very little function that he has," said Brenda. "He's basically like the bubble boy."
Even isolated and on many medicines, life is still hard.
"With the nemo mutation, there's only 14, 15 people in the world that have that mutation that Jackson has and no one has ever survived past age 20 with this mutation," said Brenda.
A bone marrow transplant is the only treatment. It could give Jackson an immune system.
"This could be a complete cure," said Brenda. "He could live a completely normal life."
But no one in their family is a match. They're spending their savings trying to have another child who might be a match.
"Sometimes it's overwhelming because you're afraid," said Steve. "You're afraid for your little boy. We know if we don't get this, he's not going to survive. And so it's very hard to live with."
So they wait and they pray for an hour-long transfusion of the right stem cells or bone marrow cells, cells that could give their young son a future. And they plead for people willing to donate.
"Is it gonna hurt? Am I gonna feel sick? Am I gonna be uncomfortable? Am I gonna have any major complications? And the answer to all of those is really no," said Dr. Elizabeth Shpall with M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.
You could be Jackson's match. Today from 6am to 6pm, take part in Channel 13's Spring Blood and Marrow Donor drive. Give blood and at the same time, a few more drops of blood will put you on the national marrow donor registry.
Call 713-790-1200 or click here for information on locations as well as how you can donate to help Jackson Bivens.
ABC13 News Team
Christi Myers, 13 Healthcheck
Jackson Live on KTRKtag:72.34.32.113,2006:/~atrevino/cure4jackson//15.15212006-03-09T21:34:08Z2006-10-30T20:51:38ZWatch for Jackson LIVE on KTRK Channel 13 March 10, 2006 during the 11am show. Jackson will be at the KTRK studios to help promote the second annual Channel 13 Blood and Bone Marrow Drive. Due to his immune deficiency...
Watch for Jackson LIVE on KTRK Channel 13 March 10, 2006 during the 11am show. Jackson will be at the KTRK studios to help promote the second annual Channel 13 Blood and Bone Marrow Drive. Due to his immune deficiency Jackson will have to be kept seperated from everyone while he is there, but he is very excited about going to work with Dada !!!! Everyone please watch, and get registered to be a bone marrow donor. You could be someone's hero. Maybe even Jackson's !!!!
Join the Bone Marrow Registrytag:72.34.32.113,2006:/~atrevino/cure4jackson//15.15192006-03-09T15:46:04Z2006-10-30T20:51:38ZAs you know, Steve is a producer for Channel 13, our local Houston ABC affiliate. Channel 13 is doing a story about Jackson this evening, Thursday, March 9th at 10pm. They are doing a story on Jackson to try to...
As you know, Steve is a producer for Channel 13, our local Houston ABC affiliate. Channel 13 is doing a story about Jackson this evening, Thursday, March 9th at 10pm.
They are doing a story on Jackson to try to encourage people to join come out for their bone marrow drive tomorrow, Friday, March 10th, 6am to 6pm. They have three major locations:
ABC-13 STUDIO / 3310 Bissonnet / 713-666-0713
CENTERPOINT ENERGY / 4300 Bissonnet / 713-945-4219
AND IF YOU LIKE EFFICIENCY, AT THIS SITE YOU CAN SIMPLY LOGON TO www.eblooddrive.org AND MAKE AN APPOINTMENT ONLINE!
MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER / Alkek Hospital, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, 2nd Floor / 713-792-7777
Also, if you have a minute, you might want to check out Jackson's website. It's www.cure4jackson.org
Bad News about our IVF Cycletag:72.34.32.113,2006:/~atrevino/cure4jackson//15.15182006-02-27T06:14:36Z2006-10-30T20:51:38ZWe found out today that our 5th IVF cycle wasn't successful. The pregnancy test was negative. We are trying to stay positive and focus on the next cycle. We'll try again, probably in April. We have no choice. Jackson needs...
We found out today that our 5th IVF cycle wasn't successful. The pregnancy test was negative. We are trying to stay positive and focus on the next cycle. We'll try again, probably in April. We have no choice. Jackson needs us.
Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and prayers. Please keep us on your prayer lists. Our fight isn't over.
Birthday Present for Mama?tag:72.34.32.113,2006:/~atrevino/cure4jackson//15.15172006-02-26T09:51:46Z2006-10-30T20:51:38ZI got quite a present for my birthday yesterday. You can see our new family member in the pictures. No..it's not what you think. This one has four legs and is furry. Jackson and Ally got a dog yesterday. Her...
I got quite a present for my birthday yesterday. You can see our new family member in the pictures. No..it's not what you think. This one has four legs and is furry. Jackson and Ally got a dog yesterday. Her name is Skippy (Jackson named her), and she is a Jack Russell Terrier. She's about 2 1/2 months old. As you can see, Jackson and Ally are in love with her (OK, Steve and like her too). She already loves the kids, she chases them and just loves for them to hold her.
As most of you know, Jackson loves dogs. He has quite a collection of stuffed and electronic dogs. We decided that he needed to have a real one. We were going to wait until after his bone marrow transplant. However, no one knows what the future will bring, so we decided not to wait.
If you know about Jack Russell Terriers, they can be a bit hyper. My friend, Sandra has one (Hi Einstein!), and he's crazy. So, I can't say that I didn't know what I would be getting. When we saw her yesterday, she was sleeping on a pillow. She slept all the way home. So, I was thinking, maybe she won't be so hyper. The minute we got home, she did about 100 circles around the living room, stopping only to jump straight up in the air. I think that she was just pretending to sleep. Jackson and Ally loved it, of course, and chased her while she ran.
What were we thinking!
Letter to Jackson from Dadatag:72.34.32.113,2006:/~atrevino/cure4jackson//15.15162006-02-23T06:08:57Z2006-10-30T20:51:38ZDear Jackson, It‘s Dada. I am writing this to tell you how much I love you. You are only 4 years old right now, so you can’t read this yet, but I know you’ll understand how I feel. I see...
Dear Jackson,
It‘s Dada. I am writing this to tell you how much I love you. You are only 4 years old right now, so you can’t read this yet, but I know you’ll understand how I feel. I see an incredible love and understanding in you every day.
I want you to know you are my everything. You make me laugh and cry, you put a smile on my face when nothing else can, and you make me believe. I believe in you.
I wish I could take this all away from you. Take your burden from you, to carry it myself. To make your immune system whole. If there was a way to do that, I would have done it long ago. Your mother and I would do anything to ensure your health and safety. And so we are doing everything that can be done. We are trying to make a miracle. A miracle that will be both your sister and your savior.
I want to make you this promise. We will get through this together. Life has been extraordinarily tough for you, and we still face some very dark days ahead. But, together we can always find the light. I promise you this, son: I will never stop fighting for you. I will never stop trying to help you. I will never stop loving you.
Love,
Dada
Background - Why do we need a cure 4 jackson?tag:72.34.32.113,2006:/~atrevino/cure4jackson//15.15152006-02-21T06:57:35Z2006-10-30T20:51:38ZThis is my 1st blog entry on cure4jackson. Our website is called cure4jackson. Here is a little background on why we need a cure for Jackson. In 2002, when he was 4 months old, Jackson developed very mild, flu-like symptoms....
had a primary immune deficiency and ED caused my a NEMO mutation. Andy underwent a bone marrow transplant and is doing well (that's why I say had). Their daughter, Sophia, was born the same week as Ally, our daughter, and was a result of IVF and PGD. I feel as though we are walking in their footsteps. Their website is www.andy.org.mx]]>
Here is an article that was published in the Kingwood Observer about Jackson in 2003
By: Kelli Kostue November 06, 2003
Two-year-old Jackson Adam Bivens, who lives in Kingwood, looks like any other toddler. He has a sweet smile and eyes full of wonder.
However, Jackson is very different from other toddlers in one very important way: he needs a bone marrow transplant.
Jackson has been diagnosed with an undiagnosed immune system disorder.
"To me he's just a really special guy," said Steve Bivens, Jackson's dad. "He's a beautiful little kid. I have a unique perspective because he's had it so tough, but he's my hero. He's the toughest little kid I know."
Steve said Jackson likes to run and play. He knows his ABC's and can even spell his name, although he has not quite yet mastered "cat" or "dog." He also loves to watch game shows. He is a big fan of Wheel of Fortune and knows Chuck Woolery, who hosted shows such as "The Dating Game" and "Love Connection," on sight.
Jackson was born Oct. 28, 2001. When he was three months old, he became sick with cold-like symptoms. Steve and his wife, Brenda, chalked it up to normal kid stuff. The pediatrician said it would pass and not to worry. Jackson was also suffering from reflux disease.
The Bivenses were forced to hire a nanny because of Jackson's illness. Daycare was not a viable option due to his reflux disease. On the nanny's first day, Brenda received a call from the nanny saying Jackson was very ill.
When Steve and Brenda returned home, they took Jackson to the pediatrician, who directed them immediately to Texas Children's Hospital. They ran a wide variety of tests but could not find the source of Jackson's illness.
Jackson was hospitalized overnight, but Steve and Brenda had no idea how sick their son was. He spent five weeks in the hospital, three of those being in ICU.
"He almost died more than once," Steve said.
It was eventually determined that Jackson had bacteremia and was in septic shock. Bacteremia is when bacteria is in the bloodstream. His T-cell function was very low and will remain that way.
Jackson finally recovered and returned home on heavy medications. One month later he became sick again. This time he was in the hospital for two months. However, it was not as traumatic that time because they caught it early because they knew the signs to look for.
"He set the Texas Children's record for having a bacteria in your bloodstream for the longest time and actually living through it," Steve said. "He had a bacteria in his bloodstream for 27 days and usually it only takes three days to clear bacteria with antibiotics."
Once again Jackson returned home, where he stayed until returning to the hospital again for a month-long stay in August.
Jackson went back to the hospital in October for a check-up and they checked his bloodstream. The Bivenses were called back in when a bacteria was found in his bloodstream. However, this time Jackson cleared the bacteria before he was given any medication.
"We didn't know what to make of it, but it was at least good news," Bivens said. "It was promising, we thought."
The Bivenses thought maybe it was just a kid thing that Jackson would grow out of, but now they know different.
"Now we know that it's a genetic defect in his NEMO gene, and he's not ever going to get better unless he has a bone marrow transplant," Steve said.
Jackson was in the hospital for a total of six months. Steve and Brenda did not leave his side except when they were forced to during shift changes. They slept sitting up and showered in a less than desirable bathroom.
"The people at Texas Children's really performed a miracle with him the first time, because I've never seen anything like that," Steve said.
At one point Jackson had 11 IV pumps. He had them attached to both feet, his head and other areas.
"I couldn't believe it was my child," Steve said. "It was very disturbing for my wife and I both."
Jackson's case is extremely rare. No child has ever been diagnosed with the exact defect Jackson has. His case has been studied at UCLA, Duke University and Johns Hopkins Hospital.
Jackson has now been healthy for one year. However, the Bivenses just found out that he will need a bone marrow transplant. Most children with a similar condition do not live past the age of 10 without a transplant. Around that age, he will develop auto-immune disorders, and his body will produce cells that will start attacking themselves, resulting in organ failure. The success rate of bone marrow transplants is higher at a younger age.
All of Jackson's relatives have been tested, but none are an exact match. They have also checked the national bone marrow registry. They have five near matches but are hoping to find an exact match. Recipients often reject marrow that are only near matches and experience serious side effects.
"You're hoping out of 5.5 billion that you can get one," Steve said. "There's not one. It's like winning the lottery, except it (the payoff) is a whole lot better."
November is National Bone Marrow Awareness Month. According to the National Marrow Donor Program, thousands of adults and children need bone marrow or stem cell transplants each year. At any given time 3,000 patients are searching the registry to find a donor.
Anyone who wishes to join the registry and possibly become a donor can call Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center at 1-888-GV-BLOOD, or 1-888-48-25663, for information or to find the nearest location. People between the ages of 18 and 60 who are generally in good health are acceptable donors. To become listed in the registry, a finger prick is all that is required.
"It doesn't cost you anything," Steve said. "It costs you five minutes. Just signing up for it is nothing at all."
Should someone become a match for a recipient, all costs are covered by the recipient. Donors typically undergo a day surgery in which bone marrow is extracted from the hip.
Businesses, churches and other organizations interested in hosting a drive can call Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center at the number listed above and ask for the bone marrow department. Steve said they will gladly come out to locations so people can register.
Steve, who is an investigative producer at ABC 13 Undercover, and Brenda, who is a human resources manager for a chemical plant, have hired a nanny to keep Jackson. He cannot go to daycare because it is extremely dangerous for him to be around other kids and germs or illnesses that may be going around. Every exposure he has to other children or people with an illness is a great risk. Even taking Jackson to Kroger to shop for groceries is a risk. However, Steve and Brenda do not want him to be isolated or confined to the house.
"We kinda weigh it," Steve said. "He's gotta be a kid at some point. I'm not looking at it from the standpoint that I've got to keep him boxed up or he's going to die. I've got to believe he's going to get through it."
Steve urges everyone to join the bone marrow registry and donate if they are a match for a patient.
"I look at Jackson every day and thank God that he's here," Steve said. "It gives me a different perspective on life. I would hope that people can look at their kid and see my kid in them. He really needs to win the lottery. Without it, there's only one thing that can happen, and I'm not going to let it happen."
GUESTBOOKtag:72.34.32.113,2006:/~atrevino/cure4jackson//15.15142006-02-12T09:01:54Z2006-10-30T20:51:38ZPlease sign our guestbook....
Please sign our guestbook.