HOISINGTON — Hoisington Middle School student Tanner Blackwell was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in 2010, has undergone chemotherapy treatment and will undergo a stem cell transplant this month in Houston.
The process involved in receiving a stem cell transplant is lengthy and complex. Tanner is scheduled to enter the hospital today, and will receive the donor cells on June 14.
The anonymous donor of the stem cells is a perfect match. The family members were tested, but the donor was closer to Tanner’s cells than family members.
Jim Blackwell, Tanner’s dad, wanted to encourage everyone to be tested to become a stem cell donor. "I’ m a strong advocate to encourage people to become potential donors.
"We are very fortunate," he said. "Sometimes there are no matches. There are fewer complications when there are perfect matches."
It is simple to become a donor. Testing is done through a mouth swab.
The family is making the best of a difficult time. "We are blessed to have the match," said Anita, Tanner’s mother. "Tanner is doing well."
The recent chemotherapy put Tanner’s cancer in remission, and his most recent biopsy came back clear. His bone marrow will be eliminated during the first portion of the transplant, and then he will receive donor stem cells.
The Blackwells said that they are fortunate that the treatment is covered by insurance, but for some patients, it is not. Tanner will have to stay in the transplant area for several months. The dates are averages, depending on how well the transplant works, and he will be on anti-rejection medication for six months to a year.
"It will be a tough battle," said Jim. "We’re going in strong."
Anita is proud how Tanner is handling this situation. "He is 12 years old, but he is far beyond his years.
"He doesn’t like being away from home," she said. Tanner has learned a lot of terminology and can communicate with the doctors regarding his treatment, but he is tired and bummed out.
Still, it is difficult for the family. "It’s a hammer that hit hard," said Jim.
The family is grateful for the support from the community, friends, family and Kans for Kids
"Tanner has said he will be doing something good someday and believes it," said Anita.
Tanner has been able to keep up on his school work, but will continue to have to Skype into classes because of weakened immunity. The Blackwells appreciate the willingness of the school district to work with them.
According to bethematch.org, the bone marrow donation site, only five percent or less of the donor’s bone marrow is used, and there is no cost to make a donation. Patients with leukemia and other life-threatening diseases can be saved through a bone marrow transplant.
Guidelines are:
•You will be on the registry until you are 61, unless you ask to be removed.
•You will need to respond quickly if you are determined to be a match.
•Donating is always voluntary.
•If you want to test for a specific patient, the testing has to be done privately on your own.
• Only one of every 540 registrants is chosen to be a donor.
