FUND RAISER FOR DICK & KATHY WELCH'S GRANDDAUGHTER KAMI
By Larry Lee, BraceBeagling Editor
July 13, 2008

Jean Fortenberry asked me to put this on the bracebeagling.com website!! Our thoughts and prayers are with Kami, Dick, Kathy and their families!!

Hello Paul,,

Would you post this information on Brace Beagling News for me?

Kami Robyn Lane is the 9 year old Granddaughter of Dick and Kathy Welch.

She was diagnosed last year with an autoimmune disease called Idiopathic Thrombicytopenic Purpura.. More specifically,her condition is a blood disorder associated with Leukemia. While Kami's body produces plenty of healthy platelets, her white blood cells attack her platelets and destroys them. This puts Kami at a high risk for internal bleeding, bleeding into the brain, and /or hemorrhaging from even the slightest of injuries.

Therefore the Doctor has her on strict restrictions of no bike riding, jumping on the trampoline, roller-skating, playing sports, etc. Kami's condition requires weekly trips to the hospital for lab work to monitor her complete blood count.

When Kam's platelet levels drop to extremely dangerous levels, she experiences severe bruising (without being touched),long-lasting heavy nosebleeds, mouth sores, and lots of spontaneous petechiae. When this occurs, Kami is limited to complete seditary behavior. When her platelets drop to what is considered a life and death situation, she then receives a treatment. The current treatment is an infusion of a blood product called WIN RHO. This treatment should lift Kami's platelet count into the normal range, and keep it sustained at that level for approximately four weeks. However, Kami's body does not respond to the treatments in a normal way. Her levels have only reached the normal level once, and stayed there for less than a week. Therefore, her levels remain in the dangerous range continually.

Earlier this year, Kami's diagnosis changed from acute form to the chronic form, indicating the severity of her condition. The chronic form has no known cause as well as no known cure. This means that Kami's condition, restrictions, and treatment cycle will be a life long battle.

Kami's treatments are very costly. Therefore, we are holding a blood drive in her honor. Each person who donates blood will receive a voucher. Each voucher that is designated for Kami is worth $20.00 toward the cost of her treatment. While that may not seem like much, it will certainly help. For those who are unable to donate blood, we will be hosting a FUNDRAISER/LUAU in conjunction with the blood drive..

The blood drive and fundraiser/luau will be held Saturday, August 2 at 10:00 a.m.

The address of the event is 9379 Deer Haven Circle,Willis, Tx.

Blood has to be donated there.

If you wish to make a monetary donation-- Send to: Kami Lane Fund

% Dick and Kathy Welch
2846 Green Forest Rd
Conroe, Tx. 77303-5186

Thank you Paul for posting this letter and thank you to anyone that donates to help this little girl.

Please keep good thoughts and prayers going for: Dick, Kathy, Susan, Monte, Kami, Rachel, Josh and Brooke. It is a tough time for them right now.

Jean Fortenberry