Friends and Family,
When I was four, I began to bruise uncontrollably and red dots showed up on my skin. My pediatrician sent me to Advocate Children's Hospital in Oak Lawn. Throughout the night, I had several blood tests that showed I had less than 1,000 blood platelets. A normal range of platelets is between 150,000 and 450,000. The amazing doctors and nurses diagnosed me with ITP, a bleeding disorder where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys platelets, leading to a low platelet count and an increased risk of bleeding and bruising. My family was glad to rule out cancer!
Through the generosity of a blood donor, the next step was to receive an immunoglobulin transfusion. I was hooked up to an IV and couldn't walk or get out of bed while receiving this transfusion.
This is where the awesome people of the Child Life Department came in....
These Child Life friends brought me coloring books, dinosaurs, Transformers, games, puzzles, and dvds to keep me in my bed and getting better. They entertained me the whole time and the transfusion worked! My platelet levels began to rise and I was on the road to recovery!
I was monitored at the hospital for the next year. Every blood test, every doctor visit resulted in a toy for me. Those toys didn't just magically appear. They were donated by generous people like you and me.
My family and I have never forgotten our time at HOPE and the kind people of the Child Life Department. For the last 13 years, around my birthday, we donate toys and comfort kits to the Child Life Department and make a meal at the Ronald McDonald House in Oak Lawn.
This year I was inducted into the National Honor Society at Lincoln-Way East High School. I would like to make our yearly collection my service project and make it the biggest collection yet!
If you are able, would you consider a donation to help my service project? All donations will go to the Child Life Department in Oak Lawn to continue to help other kids just like me.
Thank you so much for your support!
Sincerely,
Mason