In most cases, parents are unable to serve as bone marrow donors for their own children because of differences in certain genetic markers.  Amazingly, and by sheer luck, Ronan’s father was found to be a nearly identical match.  That allowed the hematopoietic stem cell transplant team at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Children’s Hospital Boston to replace Ronan’s entire immune and blood-forming system with blood stem cells from his father.  Because of his father’s remarkable gift, Ronan has a brand new healthy immune system.  And because of his mother’s incredible care in managing all of the complex medical issues that accompany stem cell transplantation, Ronan is now a growing, thriving, and healthy little boy.  He is the object of unending affection from his two beautiful sisters, and a charmer whose beautiful blue eyes and smile stop everyone in their tracks.

Ronan’s success with his stem cell transplant was due to the remarkable effort made by both of his parents.  Your gift through the Pan-Mass Challenge will directly support patients, such as Ronan, along with their families, who will undergo bone marrow transplantation.  Please click here to make a donation today in honor of Ronan and his family.  Also, if you are interested in joining the National Marrow Donor Program registry (you could save someone’s life), please click here for information.

A Message From Ronan’s Parents ...

Words can not begin to express the gratitude we have to the doctors and nurses of the Jimmy Fund Clinic, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Children’s Hospital Boston for saving our son’s life.  We had always heard about the remarkable care, dedication, and medical expertise of the Dana-Farber and Children’s, but to live it is something indescribable.

Ronan arrived at Children’s on January 15, 2005 with a fever.  Then, ten days later, he was on life-support and we were told that he would need a bone marrow transplant to correct his immune deficiency.  The pace was fast and furious.  We hardly had a chance to cope with our sadness and shock as we were quickly learning a whole new medical language.  The ICU doctors and nurses save Ronan with their expert skill and gentle care.

Then the doctors at the Dana-Farber took over.  Ronan was blessed with a successful bone marrow transplant in April 2005 at the tender age of seven months.  After the long transplant hospitalization, Ronan had weekly trips to the Jimmy Fund Clinic to monitor his recovery.  We will never forget the care Ronan received or the compassion for our emotional turmoil on the transplant unit or at the Jimmy Fund Clinic.

The medical research behind Ronan’s diagnosis and treatment is what ultimately saved him.  It’s been amazing to witness Ronan’s doctors’ absolute love of science and medicine as well as their drive to someday figure out a way to make things better.  It seems that they are truly following Dr. Farber’s lead.

Ronan now has a second chance at a healthy life.  The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Children’s Hospital Boston will always have a special place in our hearts.  Dr. Blackman, thank you for riding in honor of Ronan in hopes of helping other families like ours.