Nick Jessel
Jacob Jessel' page
Fundraising for The Children's Hospital Charity
Story
Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.
(being run by Jacobs Dad)
Jacob was diagnosed with a bone marrow disorder in September 2016. His bone marrow was progressively producing less of the cells he needs to survive. Namely, platelets, Red Blood Cells, and White Blood Cells. Professor Vora, and Dr Catherine Patrick (at The Haematology department at The Childrens Hospital in Sheffield) put Jacob onto a twice weekly regime of platelet transfusions with Red Blood Cells transfused less often. On each visit, Jacob would give a few ml of Blood to check his cell counts. Then he would receive his transfusion before leaving for home later the same day.
Transfusion dependency is not an answer, but a regime that buys time to investigate.
The consultants managing Jacobs case were, and are still, stuck between two diagnosis: on the one hand Jacob shows clear signs of myelo displasia, but there is considerable cross over with aplastic anaemia. Both are pre-leukaemic conditions, and both mercifully cured by bone marrow, or stem cell transplant.
During November Jacob became Neutropenic, which means he was no longer producing enough cells to maintain a functioning immune system. So in addition to his transfusions, Jacob started prophylactic antibiotics (2 of) and an antifungal.
We were very lucky to have found a 90% matched donor in late December 2016 after some time searching on the international registers for bone marrow donors. Jacobs mum and dad quickly found out how little they knew about Bone Marrow donation, or how it was transplanted. This is something that is easily changed; awareness of how simple it is to donate, and how bone marrow is transplanted. Look at www.anthonynolan.org
Jacob received his transplant on February 8th 2017, and so far he's coping well with what is a tough process for a 7 year old to follow. He is in protective isolation on Ward M3 in Sheffield, and will remain there until his new immune systems starts to produce the cells he needs to live a long and happy life. It takes 2 years after receiving a stem cell or bone marrow transplant to be confident in calling it a success.
It is part of the mission here to raise funds for the Childrens Hospital Charity, but also raise awareness of how easy it is to Donate Stem Cells/Bone Marrow, and get you dear reader to sign up!
It costs the NHS £150,000 to put a child through the transplant procedure. Jacob's dad is not complaining about his tax bill anymore. It would be nice to put something back to the team that are doing this life saving work throughout the year, for kids from around the world.
Please give generously as the Childrens Hospital Charity provides such a fantastic environment for youngsters like Jacob that are having to deal with issues that few grown ups will ever have to face.
Thank You -
(being run by Jacobs Dad)
Jacob was diagnosed with a bone marrow disorder in September 2016. His bone marrow was progressively producing less of the cells he needs to survive. Namely, platelets, Red Blood Cells, and White Blood Cells. Professor Vora, and Dr Catherine Patrick (at The Haematology department at The Childrens Hospital in Sheffield) put Jacob onto a twice weekly regime of platelet transfusions with Red Blood Cells transfused less often. On each visit, Jacob would give a few ml of Blood to check his cell counts. Then he would receive his transfusion before leaving for home later the same day.
Transfusion dependency is not an answer, but a regime that buys time to investigate.
The consultants managing Jacobs case were, and are still, stuck between two diagnosis: on the one hand Jacob shows clear signs of myelo displasia, but there is considerable cross over with aplastic anaemia. Both are pre-leukaemic conditions, and both mercifully cured by bone marrow, or stem cell transplant.
During November Jacob became Neutropenic, which means he was no longer producing enough cells to maintain a functioning immune system. So in addition to his transfusions, Jacob started prophylactic antibiotics (2 of) and an antifungal.
We were very lucky to have found a 90% matched donor in late December 2016 after some time searching on the international registers for bone marrow donors. Jacobs mum and dad quickly found out how little they knew about Bone Marrow donation, or how it was transplanted. This is something that is easily changed; awareness of how simple it is to donate, and how bone marrow is transplanted. Look at www.anthonynolan.org
Jacob received his transplant on February 8th 2017, and so far he's coping well with what is a tough process for a 7 year old to follow. He is in protective isolation on Ward M3 in Sheffield, and will remain there until his new immune systems starts to produce the cells he needs to live a long and happy life. It takes 2 years after receiving a stem cell or bone marrow transplant to be confident in calling it a success.
It is part of the mission here to raise funds for the Childrens Hospital Charity, but also raise awareness of how easy it is to Donate Stem Cells/Bone Marrow, and get you dear reader to sign up!
It costs the NHS £150,000 to put a child through the transplant procedure. Jacob's dad is not complaining about his tax bill anymore. It would be nice to put something back to the team that are doing this life saving work throughout the year, for kids from around the world.
Please give generously as the Childrens Hospital Charity provides such a fantastic environment for youngsters like Jacob that are having to deal with issues that few grown ups will ever have to face.
Thank You -