At eight weeks old, Dalton developed eczema, along with other skin infections and sores. The family sought help from pediatricians and dermatologists alike, but no matter what anybody did, his skin would not heal. The pediatric dermatologist that Dalton's family spoke to was suspicious of his constant infections, so they send the family to the Doernbecher Children's Hospital hematology and oncology unit. There, they looked at Dalton's blood work. On August 15, 2013, when Dalton was only eleven months old, his family got a call from the doctors at Doernbecher: Dalton had no neutrophils, a type of white blood cell with enzymes that digest microorganisms. After five days of tests, including a bone biopsy, Dalton and his family were sent home. Less than a week later, though, the stunned doctors told Dalton's family that they found no neutrophils or T-cells, another type of white blood cell, in his immune system. On that day, August 23, 2013, eleven-month old Dalton was diagnosed with Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID).

 

From August to December, Dalton and his family were in complete isolation in their home. On December 3, they were admitted to Doernbecher, where he had his Hickman catheter - to administer medicine - placed and received his first doses of anti-seizure medicine. From December 4-11, Dalton underwent three types of high-dose chemotherapy to destroy what was left of his immune system. His reactions to the chemotherapy ranged from mucositis to severe itching. During his hospital stay in early December, Dalton also had weekly platelet transfusions, which he was allergic to. At one point in January, Dalton was sedated and incubated, and when he couldn't keep his oxygen levels up, he was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit.

 

On December 13, Dalton had his bone marrow transplant. Bone marrow transplants are necessary to save the lives of children with SCID. Dalton's bone marrow wasn't producing white blood cells to fight off infections and diseases; the new, healthy bone marrow should produce those cells. His transplant was successful, and to this day Dalton remains 100% donor cells! Although Dalton is on the road to recovery (he got his Hickman catheter removed on July 16, 2014), he still requires medical treatment. His family is also still working through his past medical bills.

 

 

The Friends of Jordan 5K & Kids' Run raised $5,000 for Dalton with the help of 10 sponsors, 135 participants, and about 20 volunteers. Thank you to all involved.