Noel

On Saturday, I had the pleasure of participating in a fundraising vendor event for little Noel Rivera.  

Noel is only 2 years and suffers from Aplastic Anemia, a very rare disease, with only 20 people in the US diagnosed each year.  He is currently at the Aurora Children's Hospital in Colorado undergoing treatment, while his extended family remains in Powell, Wyoming.


Aplastic Anemia is a rare disease when your body doesn’t make blood.  Ultimately, his bone marrow is failing. To date, he has undergone 3 bone marrow biopsies, when in his most recent they couldn’t find any white cells, platelets, and very few red blood cells. With him having no white cells, he has no immune system; no way to fight off any infection that he may get.  He is on a lot of medication to help prevent infection and to treat anything that may be hiding.

Because Noel has no platelets and very little red blood cells, he has already undergone 5 platelet transfusions and 5 blood transfusions -- basically one a week since his diagnosis only a few weeks ago. Noel has been poked, prodded, and tested left and right, in an attempt to find what may have caused this unusual disease. 

For his treatment, Noel will have to undergo chemotherapy to completely wipe out his bone marrow, and then he will need a bone marrow transplant. Sadly Alan, his dad; Emma, his sister; nor Tatiana, his mom, were a match.  He has been checked on the big bone marrow databases, but thus far, they haven't found a match there either. They are currently in process of checking the smaller bone marrow databases.

80% of bone marrow donors are Caucasian so that puts Hispanics, like Noel in a limited 20% to find a perfect match.

In Noel's honor, we will be hosting a Create and Take Fundraiser Event on Thursday, May 24th @ 6:30 PM at Faith Community Church (the little red church on the hill between Ralston and Cody).  During the event, folks will come together to create a beautiful home decor piece of artwork entitled "Always Believe Something Wonderful is about to Happen" to honor Noel and his brave fight.  Don't worry, if you don't think you are creative, YOU can do this for Noel, and we will show you how!



There will be raffle prizes and donations will also be accepted.

Tickets are $50 and can be purchased by contacting me @ 775-750-7809 or rstafford828@gmail.com 
If you would like more information, please contact me.

Until next time, consider chalking it up for a cause!
Roberta
The Traveling Crafter (only one more week until vacation!)