Family of 8-month-old in need of bone marrow transplant hosts donor registration event
ROSS TOWNSHIP (KDKA) - People across Western Pennsylvania registered their bone marrow and stem cells Sunday in support of a McCandless baby with an extremely rare gene mutation.
The family told KDKA nearly 460 got swabbed and signed up for the National Bone Marrow Registry at a drive in Ross Township.
Eight-month-old Clementine Blackham's perfect match may have gone to The Block Northway on Sunday.
"Put yourself in my shoes, and it be your child, and then your whole life, and somebody could save her," Clementine's mom, Tanner, said. "We're hoping that we have our miracle."
About a month ago, her parents, Tanner and Tim, learned their daughter is battling an extremely rare gene mutation called the TLR8 gene, which will cause her to go into bone marrow failure because her body doesn't produce red blood cells.
Clementine is the only female and one of only nine other children diagnosed in the world. She's also one of two children to have it in every cell of their body. Her only hope is a bone marrow transplant. It's not a cure, but her best chance at surviving.
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"We're relying on somebody else," Tanner said.
With the help of the global nonprofit DKMS, they held a registration drive, where people got swabbed and enjoyed everything from live music to vendors, fire trucks, and Disney princesses. The Blackhams also raised money for medical and travel expenses through raffles and auctions and special Clementine cookies, t-shirts, and water.
Julie and Mike Lamb have young children and connected with Clementine's story.
"They're trying to find a needle in a haystack, and to do anything to, you know, contribute to that effort, it's a small thing for us to be able to do to try to help them," Julie said.
To them, it was a no-brainer to join the fight.
"I would want someone to do that for me or for my children," Mike said.
The process was easy.
"It's painless," Mike said.
Nurse practitioner Jessica Spragg knows the family and immediately signed up to volunteer at the event.
"Three minutes and 20 seconds is all it takes to be a hero," Spragg said.
Anyone ages 18 to 55 in good health is eligible. It takes three to four weeks to officially join the registry, and you'll stay there until you're 61 years old.
Iris Caldwell is a DKMS donor recruiter.
"You could be called to donate and be matched with someone in three years, three months, [or] 20 years; it just depends on if your genetic twin is out there that actually needs you at that time to go forth and donate," Caldwell said.
As Clementine's family anxiously waits for answers, they know the community has their backs.
"Everybody's just pulling together, and it's incredible," Tim said.
"It's amazing to watch our community surrounding us in love and support," Tanner said.
If you missed out on the drive, you can also register online. More information can be found by clicking here.
