216 Donors

$1500

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$500

$500

Top Donor

Trooper Publishin...

$3,197

10 Fundraisers

Da Patterson's

$300

$1,000 Goal

30% Complete

Karen L Coffey

$116

$1,000 Goal

12% Complete

Kathy McMahon ...

$50

$200 Goal

25% Complete

Jack Bernard

$45

$5,000 Goal

1% Complete

Maryellen Barry

$0

$1,000 Goal

0% Complete

Jack Bernard

$0

$4,600 Goal

0% Complete

Jack Pullman is nine years old and so full of life.  He started this fundraiser to raise money for the UMass Pediatric Infusion Unit.   Jack suffers from several Interstitial Lung Diseases, some other issues and/or unknown diseases that they are currently trying to determine. (see below)

Jack had been a patient at the UMass Pediatric Infusion Unit for two years and in August of 2012, the infusion treatments were discontinued, for the time being. 

Jack started this fundraiser because he knew what it was like to sit for hours in the infusion unit, receiving medication and not being able to leave the unit.  The unit has some activities for the kids, but Jack felt that they were not plentiful and outdated. Jack wanted to raise money to be able to buy more items for the Infusion Unit so that “the kid’s time there is more enjoyable”.  He thought he could start a fundraiser and buy new movies, gaming units, new games (x-box, PlayStation), buy some cuddle puppets and things of the like. He came up with this idea on his own.  We are so proud of him.  This fundraiser has been an especially bright spot and great distraction for Jack during a very difficult period of health.  He is filled with so much excitement in anticipation of what he can do for the kids that are patients in the infusion unit.

So much has happened since we started this campaign. Jack's health has been declining. His pulmonologist has assembled a team of specialist from Boston Childrens Hospital (Immunology, Cardiology, Hematology, Hepatology, Neurology, Pulmonology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology) to "cast a wide blanket" and try to determine what is going on with Jack. In October he had a lung biopsy, liver biopsy and bone marrow biopsy. The results were not positive, but it did yield some information. His lungs and liver have permanent fibrosing and damage, there were signs of pulmonary hypertension and everything showed alot of inflammatory cells. After the biopsies he was re-admitted to the hospital because the biopsies were so poor. They were going to start some i.v. medication, but three days later, his liver blood work showed a slight improvement. Since then Jack has been on a merry go round of numerous appointments, weekly blood test and procedures until they can determine what is wrong with him.

I began by updating family, friends and supporters through this site, but for the past few months have started using Caringbridge, which you are welcome to visit.    http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jackpullman1

What Jack Has...

These are the diseases that Jack currently has: Bronchiolitis Obliterans, Bronchiectasis, Pulmonary Interstitial Glycogenosis & Eosinophil Esophagitis. He also currently has hepatitis (just means inflammation of the liver) and they currently believe that he has a rare form of Hypereosinophilic syndrome.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypereosinophilic_syndrome

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bronchiectasis

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bronchiolitis_obliterans

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eosinophilic_esophagitis

Pulmonary Interstitial Glycogenosis...http://www.child-foundation.com/education/PIG

chILD Foundation (Children with Interstitial Lung Diseases)

chILD Foundation Mission

The Mission of the Children’s Interstitial Lung Disease Foundation is to provide support, education and hope to families affected by a pediatric interstitial lung disease and to advocate and raise funds for scientific research. In2012 77% of donations will be dedicated to research.

What started out as a simple fundraiser has transformed into so much more.  It has provided Jack and his family with so much love and support. It showed us how kind, generous and supportive people are.  As Jack goes through one of the most difficult periods of his life, this has allowed him to dream big. Jack was able to attend the chILD conference in San Diego in June, which became a life changing experience for our whole family. He has already been able to provide some joy to kids like him going through extended hospital stays and hard times.

It has become an inspiration to our whole family.  Jack and his family would like to start a foundation in the future to help children going through difficult medical times, to be able to bring them some sunshine during very tough times. 

Thank you for visiting us, reading all this and we do understand that not everyone is able to donate.  Just some warm wishes or prayers for Jack will do just as much.

Thank you,

Jack Pullman and Family

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