Milledge Estes is a seven year old from Oxford in need of a bone marrow transplant to battle a rare disease. A fundraising campaign has been launched to help pay for it.
KENNETT SQUARE — Local residents are putting the word out about a Chester County child with a very rare disease and desperately in need of a bone marrow transplant and a fundraising campaign to help pay for it.
A fundraising campaign website has been set up to begin fundraising for Children’s Organ Transplant Association in honor of Milledge Estes. 7-year-old Milledge, an Oxford resident, is scheduled to receive a bone marrow transplant at Children’s Hospital Of Philadelphia next month. Funds are being raised to assist with transplant-related expenses.
Milledge was diagnosed with Diamond Blackfan Anemia at six weeks of age. Diamond Blackfan Anemia is a rare, life-threatening bone marrow failure condition in which a child’s bone marrow does not produce red blood cells. Milledge has received more than 100 blood transfusions and nightly infusions of a medication that prevents him from going into organ failure. Currently, the only cure for Diamond Blackfan Anemia is a bone marrow transplant.
The Estes/Sisemore family needs an estimated $35,000 to pay transplant-related expenses.
“The family and friends of Milledge want to encourage everyone to check out his website, follow his journey, and hopefully join us as we hold events over the next several months,” said Deborah Maroko. “100% of the money raised will assist with transplant-related expenses.”
For more information about future events, or fundraising and volunteer opportunities, please email milledgefundraiser@gmail.com. Follow his story at http://COTAforMilledgeE.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/mightymilledge
Milledge’s family has asked for assistance from the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA), a national charity based in Bloomington, Indiana. COTA is dedicated to organizing and guiding communities in raising funds for transplant-related expenses. COTA’s services are completely free of charge, and 100% of funds generated by COTA community fundraising campaigns are available for transplant-related expenses.
