The Friday Flyer, May 11, 2007 - Article: Bone marrow drive will go on in memory of Trevor Kott

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Bone marrow drive will go on in memory of Trevor Kott

By Sharon Rice
The Friday Flyer Assistant Editor

     In spite of her best efforts to get bone marrow drives going locally and to find a bone marrow match for her 6-month-old grandson, Trevor Kott, Pam Malcolmson helped lay her grandbaby to rest on May 6 in El Dorado Hills, California, after his passing on April 25.
     The bone marrow drive scheduled for May 16 in the Towne Center will still go on in honor of Trevor’s memory, and in the hope that other families may be spared the sorrow of losing a loved one for lack of a bone marrow match.
     According to his mother, Angela Kott (Pam’s daughter), “Trevor was born October 14, 2006, and soared to join the angels in heaven on April 25, 2007, while being held in the arms of his parents. He was received with joy and hope for a wonderful life as the first son and brother in the family. After being discharged to go home, a minor rash on his arms and some blood tests led doctors to a diagnosis of congenital acute myelogenous leukemia.”
     While the initial treatments achieved remission, the leukemia cells returned in March, with the result his only chance for a cure was to receive a bone marrow transplant. Because Trevor had a very unique tissue type, a donor was not found in the National Marrow Donor Program registry.
     That’s when Pam reached out to her friends and neighbors through The Friday Flyer and invited them to register as blood marrow donors on-line or through locally planned drives. With the help of the Lioness Club, she was able to arrange for a bone marrow drive here in Canyon Lake on Wednesday, May 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the Towne Center Conference Room.
     Joining the registry involves a simple procedure in which the inside of one’s cheek is swabbed for cells. Bone marrow is not withdrawn at this time. The cost is normally $52, but because of a foundation called “Thanks Mom,” the procedure will be free for Canyon Lakers. One must be age 18 to 60 and in good health to join the registry.
     Canyon Lakers who would like to honor Pam, her grandson Trevor, and mothers everywhere, are invited to participate in next week’s drive. For more information, call Pam at 244-2926. To learn what is involved in being a bone marrow donor, go to www.marrow.org.
     The family is also accepting donations to continue the work Trevor started to bring awareness and a cure to childhood leukemia. Send them to the Trevor Kott Fund, c/o Umpqua Bank, 4011 Plaza Goldorado Circle, Cameron Park, CA 95682.