A Nicholls student suffering from leukemia, a cancer of the blood, began isolation Tuesday for a bone marrow transplant scheduled for Sept. 26 in New Orleans. Following the procedure, Grant Hebert, a 20-year-old from Berwick, will also need to undergo a transfusion of platelets for 30 days. Hebert needs 30 blood donors for the transfusion, but only 10 have been compatible so far.
Hebert is in need of A-positive or A-negative blood donors that are also CMV (cytomegalovirus) negative-a blood type that is difficult to find in people old enough to give blood, Suzy Strauss, a representative for the Blood Center, said.
CMV is a virus that children do not have in their blood at birth. However, over time, people convert to acquiring CMV after having a viral infection or mono. Grant is still negative for the virus, which is rare for people his age. This makes finding donors, who have to be at least 17 years old, particularly difficult, Strauss said.
“We have to make sure the blood is completely compatible,” Strauss said. “It does create a challenge to find compatible blood for him, so we certainly need the younger generation to give blood.”
Hebert was diagnosed with leukemia in 2004. After chemotherapy and 23 blood transfusions, his cancer went into remission from 2005 to 2008. In January 2009, however, Hebert discovered his cancer returned after he began losing weight and experiencing severe fatigue.
“Grant took the news as he always does, with a positive attitude,” Hebert’s mother, Malissa, said in an online Web journal devoted to keeping up with her son’s medical progress. “His spirit is unsinkable.”
Hebert has put off receiving a college education to undergo treatment at Children’s Hospital in New Orleans. He has already received 12 blood transfusions since his relapse in January.
Hebert’s leukemia resulted from a lack of blood-cell production in the bone marrow. Hebert’s 15-year-old sister, Morgan, will be his bone marrow donor in hopes the new, healthy bone marrow will produce blood cells and take over. The new marrow will be so dominant that over time, Hebert will actually become his sister’s blood type due to the change, Strauss said.
Hebert also has a twin brother, Adam, but his bone marrow is not a match. However, Hebert’s mother said the two siblings have made many sacrifices over the past five years for their brother.
“In five years, I have not ever heard them complain that he had to be put first,” Malissa said. “They remain goal-oriented, well-adjusted and kind people that we are so proud of.”
Anyone 17 years of age or older, in good health and at least 110 pounds can donate blood. Qualified donors can visit www.thebloodcenter.org to schedule an appointment to be tested.
“They should bring a picture ID when they come to donate, and we recommend that they eat a meal and drink plenty of fluids prior to donating,” Strauss said. “We urge all people to donate no matter what their blood type because it simply makes sure a blood supply is always available.”
For more information on Hebert’s progress, visit his Web journal at www.caringbridge.org/visit/granthebert. Donations can also be made to The Grant Hebert Fund at Patterson State Bank.
