AAMDSIF Caitlyn Langley Research Fund

Caitlyn Langley is a young lady who has been living with aplastic anemia aplastic anemia: (ay-PLASS-tik uh-NEE_mee-uh) A rare and serious condition in which the bone marrow fails to make enough blood cells - red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. The term aplastic is a Greek word meaning not to form. Anemia is a condition that happens when red blood cell count is low. Most… since October, 2001 when she was 5 years old. After years of immunosuppressive drug therapy immunosuppressive drug therapy: (i-myoo-no-suh-PREH-siv) Drugs that lower the body's immune response and allow the bone marrow stem cells to grow and make new blood cells. ATG (antithymocyte globulin) or ALG (antilymphocyte globulin) with cyclosporine are used to treat bone marrow failure in aplastic anemia. Immunosuppressive… , Caitlyn is feeling well. Today, Caitlyn is an active teenager who plays basketball and is a cheerleader. Although she feels good now, she will likely deal with the side effects form the drugs, therapy, and the disease. The only cure for Caitlyn is a bone marrow transplant bone marrow transplant: A bone marrow transplant (BMT) is also called a stem cell transplant (SCT) or hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT).The procedure replaces unhealthy blood-forming stem cells with healthy ones and offers some patients the possibility of a cure. But for many patients, a BMT is not an option due… ; after four bone marrow bone marrow: The soft, spongy tissue inside most bones. Blood cells are formed in the bone marrow. drives, and millions of people being checked, she does not have a match.  Her family says, “Our only hope is to fund research to find a better cure.”  The Caitlyn Langley Research Fund has been established through  AAMDSIF in order to find that cure.