Edition:
April 13, 2007
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The Friday Flyer Assistant Editor
Sports folks talk about “the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.” The range of emotions encompassed by those few words is an apt description for the birth of Pam Malcolmson’s grandson, Trevor Austin Kott.
Born full term in October 2006, measuring 8 lbs. 6 oz., 20.5 in. long, the perfectly formed newborn brought his parents and extended family members the exquisite thrill of new life. Cleared for discharge from the hospital the day after his birth, Trevor’s parents were on top of the world until his mom noticed a minor rash on his arm. A complete blood count (CBC) was ordered, and with it the beginning of fear.
The white count was high; an on-call pediatric oncologist suggested leukemia. Further tests confirmed the condition known as congenital acute myeloid leukemia (AML), with doctors estimating Trevor’s chances of survival at less than five percent. The agony had begun.
Initially, palliative care (comfort only) was offered; however, the Kott family and Trevor’s doctors decided to aggressively treat Trevor’s leukemia with chemotherapy – a frightening and painful ordeal that, in the words of his parents, equates with “torture.” In spite of it all, Trevor has been able to smile and laugh and is an exceptionally beautiful baby boy, according to his grandmother.
In late February, his leukemia relapsed while he was recovering from the third round of chemotherapy, leading doctors to conclude his best hope for survival is to receive a bone marrow transplant as soon as possible. So far no matching donor has been found and his need is urgent.
Trevor’s life depends on finding a match in the next six to eight weeks so Pam is urgently asking everyone she knows to consider being tested as a marrow donor. Bone marrow registration drives are planned for several locations – Pam is trying to get one set up at Canyon Lake Community Church to make it as simple as possible for concerned residents.
Hoping for thrill of victory
It does not require a blood or marrow sample to find out if your bone marrow is a match for Trevor. It does require the time and effort to have your cheek swabbed for cells – and the compassion to help save a life.
A lot has been said in recent months about organ and tissue donations. In most cases, you have to lose your own life to save someone else’s with organ donations – but in the case of donating blood and bone marrow your body has an ample supply to share. Imagine saving the life of a precious baby – or anyone for that matter – with such a small sacrifice of time and effort and, if you’re a match, a small amount of pain.
The lack of matching bone marrow donors is a crisis affecting thousands of families every year. It only takes one match to save a life. If you are interested in helping with the bone marrow drive for Trevor or others in his situation, there are three ways you can help.
1. Join the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) Registry to become a volunteer marrow or blood cell donor. You must be age 18 to 60 and in good health. Join the Registry by calling 1-800-Marrow2, or by completing the registration form at www.marrow.org (follow the links). You will request a tissue-typing kit and need to pay the $52 tissue-typing cost through a secure online payment. When you register, be sure to indicate you are registering in honor of Trevor Kott to ensure that process is expedited. This will get your marrow typing information into the registry as quickly as possible.
2. The Kott family has a established a fund at The Marrow Foundation to help defray the cost of tissue-typing ($52 per kit) for those who cannot afford the fee. For those who do not have the time, desire or physical requirements to participate as a potential marrow donor, you can still help by making a donation to the Trevor Kott Fund to help others participate. Contributions are tax deductible and can be made at www.themarrowfoundation.org.
3. Share this life-saving opportunity with friends and family. Whatever you decide to do, time is of the essence, so please act now. For more information, contact the National Registry at 1-800-Marrow2, or give Pam a call at 244-2926.
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