Tauranga Teen Urgently Requires Rare Disease Stem Cell Transplant

A Tauranga family is relocating to Italy so that their son, Daniel Patterson, can receive treatment for his rare disease. Daniel, who is 16 years old, was born with Wiskott-Aldrich-Syndrome (WAS), a genetic immunodeficiency that affects his immune system. His condition makes it difficult for his bone marrow to produce platelets, making him vulnerable to internal bleeding. Over the years, Daniel’s condition has developed into an autoimmune disease, and he recently received a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis and lupus vasculitis. To prevent further damage to his organs, Daniel requires a stem cell transplant, which the family plans to undergo in Italy. The cost of the transplant is estimated to be over €300,000 (approximately NZ$541,000), which the family plans to cover by remortgaging their house, selling one of their cars, borrowing money from relatives, and using their savings. After the procedure, Daniel will need to spend several weeks in the hospital followed by six months or more as an outpatient with regular check-ups.

The Patterson family has faced numerous challenges in finding a diagnosis and suitable treatment for Daniel. Despite multiple visits to different doctors, it was only during a trip to Thailand that the cause of Daniel’s leg pain was identified as lupus vasculitis. The family hopes that the stem cell transplant in Italy will prevent further damage to Daniel’s health. The procedure, which will be either a stem cell transplant using bone marrow from his father or a suitable donor, or gene therapy using his own bone marrow, is estimated to cost over €300,000. To cover these expenses, the family plans to remortgage their house, sell a car, borrow money from relatives, and use their savings. Following the transplant, Daniel will require several weeks of hospitalization and regular check-ups as an outpatient for at least six months. To support the family, donations can be made through Daniel’s Givealittle page.


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