Fanconi Anemia – Bone Marrow Drive

Scott and Nancy Finnegan learned last year that both their 17-year-old son, Blaise, and 13-year-old daughter, Madeline, have Fanconi anemia. They will eventually need bone marrow transplants to survive.
Madeline and Blaise also have aplastic anemia, meaning they have lost some bone marrow, and is being treated by a Minneapolis doctor who specializes in Fanconi anemia.
On October 31st, a bone marrow/blood drive sponsored by Life South will be held at Hampton Cove Middle School in hopes of finding a donor for Blaise and Madeline. Siblings are usually the best bone marrow donors, but the Finnegans’ youngest child, 8-year-old Trinity, is not a match.
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Feed the Elderly with Organic Gardening:

Mr. Phil McCrory spoke to 7th graders about the use of human hair in solving oil spill crisis and how hair breaks down to produce healthier, brighter, taller, more economically efficient plants. Human hair breaks down very slowly in fertilized soil and provides 15% nitrogen which aids many ways in plant growth. Mr. McCrory’s inspirational story can be found on page 575 in the 7th Grade Life Science book.
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My name is Madeline Finnegan

 

 I am a 13 yr. old at Hampton Cove Middle School.  October of 2007 after having sores in my mouth and a visit with my pediatrician I had to get my blood work taken. The blood work came back as showing that I had very low white and red blood cell counts. My platelet counts were low too. Dr. Horton referred me to see a hematologist at St. Jude here in Huntsville. The hematologist had concerns and thought it best that I visit St. Jude in Memphis , TN for a bone marrow biopsy to see why my counts were low. After many tests were taken, the biopsy and blood work came back that I had Fanconi and Aplastic Anemia.

This means that I have bone marrow failure and will some day have to go through chemo therapy and radiation in order to receive a bone marrow transplant. My disease is a recessive gene disorder. This means that both my parents carry the gene.

As of now I am doing fine and getting my blood drawn every three months to check and see if my counts have changed. Once a year I will have to have a Bone Marrow Biopsy done to check how my marrow is doing and to be looking for cancers and diabetes.

If you were to see me I look like a normal healthy teenager. Other than tiring and bruising easily I can do what other kids are doing.

I have played libero position on my school’s volleyball team for the past two years and I also run track for my school. I am on the honor roll, enjoy singing in the choir and Science is my favorite subject. In my spare time I enjoy reading books and watching movies about the 15^th -18^th centuries ,fashion and playing in makeup. 

I’m Blaise Finnegan

I’m Blaise Finnegan , I attend Huntsville High and am a Senior this year. I have been diagnosed with Fanconi and Aplastic anemia since November 2007. I knew for a month before I was diagnosed that my sister Madeline had the disease. Once we found out about her, my little sister Trinity and I had to get tested to see if we also had the disease. I knew my sister would have to someday go through radiation and chemotherapy in order to make her bone marrow stronger and to function properly. She had shown some symptoms that alerted us something might be wrong. I felt pretty certain even though there was a 25 % chance I might have it too, that I would not, instead I was hoping to be a match for her when the time came.
My parents found out from a phone call that they were hoping would state I was a match for her, of course this was not the case. Instead, they found out that I also had the disease. Imagine their shock! Two of their three kids were now diagnosed with a disease.
I now will have to go thru the same things I knew and feared for her that she would. We are now closer than before, because we share a bond that most siblings do not.
My bone marrow failure is pretty moderate for now and I feel healthy and can continue pretty much with life as I knew it before diagnoses. I am enjoying Senior year and all the fun activities it incurs. Painting up and tailgating is one of the things I enjoy most about attending my schools football games. My friends and I usually hang out on most weekdays and weekends. I am also a bass player and used to belong in a band, but for now I just jam with my friends when we get together. I would like to attend Alabama University after graduation. I also like to play golf and work at the Golf Course in the neighborhood.

What Is Fanconi Anemia?

Fanconi anemia (fan-KO-nee uh-NEE-me-uh), or FA, is a rare, inherited blood disorder that leads to bone marrow failure. FA causes your bone marrow to stop making enough new blood cells for your body to work normally. FA also can cause your bone marrow to make many abnormal blood cells. This can lead to serious health problems such as cancer.

FA is a blood disorder, but it also can affect many of your body’s organs, tissues, and systems. Children who inherit FA are at higher risk of being born with birth defects. People with FA are at higher risk for some cancers and other serious health problems.
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Madeline – Fanconi Anemia

I taught Madeline last year and learned so much from her as she walked through the experience of discovering that she and her brother had Fanconi Anemia. Fanconi Anemia is a recessive genetic disorder that affects the production of healthy blood cells. Fanconi Anemia is not cancer, but Madeline and her brother are both in need of a bone marrow transplant. Therefore, my 7th Grade Science class and Stacy Copeland, our wonderful nurse for Hampton Cove Middle School, are hosting a bone marrow drive at our school on October 31, 2008. Hopefully, we can get a match for both of the Finnagan children. They are in good health now, but what a blessing it would be to have matching marrow when the time comes.

Chanda Davis

Service-Learning Is…

Service-Learning Is…

Service-learning is a teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities.

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Defining Service-Learning | What is Service-Learning? | What are the Characteristics of Service-Learning? | Resources Cited | Additional Print Resources | Online Resources

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Food Drive for Huntsville Assistance Program

The 7th Grade Science classes have committed to collecting nonperishable food items for the Huntsville Assistance Program each week. We are committed to making  a difference through learning, loving, and helping those in need. So if you are reading this information—send food for those that are less fortunate to Hampton Cove Middle School room 232. This program is sponsored by 1st Baptist on Governor’s Drive in Huntsville, AL. Who would have ever thought that our economy would be in such dismay. Thank you Hampton Cove for supporting our efforts to make a differnce. Thank you students for learning the rewards of sharing and serving at a young age. Remember, we are all in this race for a better tomorrow  together. Lets LOVE those who need to be LOVED–Lets HELP those who need to be HELPED—-A little goes a long way. Mrs. D.