Mt. Pleasant freshman diagnosed with rare disease

MT. PLEASANT — After months of not feeling well and mysterious bruises on her arms and legs, Mt. Pleasant High School Freshman, Mia Gray received a rare diagnosis of Aplastic Anemia.

According to the Mayo Clinic, Aplastic Anemia is a condition that occurs when an individual’s body stops producing enough new blood cells resulting in a bone marrow failure.

“Aplastic anemia is a rare disease that occurs in only one to two people per million each year,” St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital website states. “That’s 300 to 600 new cases across all age groups in the U.S.”

Causes for the disease are unknown.

Diagnoses come from medical and family history alongside lab tests like complete blood count and bone marrow aspiration and biopsy.

Mia is the 15-year-old daughter of Sean and Brea Gray. She is on the honor roll, plays the flute, cheers for all sports, and runs track.

This past September, Mia and her family’s world changed with the results of a blood test followed by a bone marrow biopsy.

“After the blood test came back, they said it could be Leukemia or Aplastic Anemia,” her father Sean said. “They found it was the anemia.”

“It was heartbreaking knowing how rare it is and the risks involved in both the immunosuppressive therapy or the marrow transplant,” he said.

Currently, Mia is incredibly tired and sometimes bleeds is her platelet counts are low.

“Your body is constantly changing at this age, and to have this issue on top of it…” Sean began. “I don’t know how she does it.”

“It’s very tough,” he continued. “It’s hard to see a child suffer, cry and have every emotion including knowing that some cases do not make it.”

While Aplastic Anemia can share links to different cancers and cancer treatments, the disease is not cancer. It is, however, serious.

According to St. Jude’s, the disease is a life-threatening condition with 70% death rates within one year if left untreated.

There are treatment options, which greatly improve survival rates.

Treatments include blood transfusions, supportive medication, immunosuppressive therapy, and bone marrow transplants.

While every treatment has side effects, St. Jude’s cites a 90% survival rate for children who have undergone bone marrow transplants for the disease.

Mia has already undergone a round of immunosuppressive therapy, including chemo, at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital this past November.

“She is currently on many steroids to battle the illness,” Sean said. “There are side effects so we are battling getting doses correct now. She gets Platelet and Blood infusion sometimes weekly depending on her levels.”

“She sees the doctor every Monday for follow-up,” he said.

According to a Gofundme set up by Mia’s Aunt Lexi Leslie, these follow-ups are in Iowa City.

The page adds that Mia will undergo two immunosuppressive therapy sessions with a 30-day stay in a clean room at the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital followed by a bone marrow transplant.

The Gofundme page has a goal of $10,000 to help the Gray family with expenses.

“Mia has a long road ahead, she is a strong and happy girl,” Leslie wrote on Gofundme. “We know she will get through this like a champ!”

As of Wednesday morning, Godfundme donation totals came in just under $7,000.

As a freshman, Mia is receiving support from both the middle and high school as she continues this journey.

The middle school hosted a hat day where students donated $1 to wear a hat, and students and staff wore red in support of Mia.

The Coffee Depot is accepting donations on Mia’s behalf and collecting notes of encouragement to pass along to the family. They also hosted a tip-fundraiser Nov. 17 when they chose to use “Mia” as they name of the day promotion.

The Coffee Depot, Euphoria Salon, Skin is My Canvas, Lillian Grace, and Sarah’s Bridal are all selling 50/50 raffle tickets for a benefited on behalf of Mia this Saturday, Dec. 3, at the Masonic Lodge in Mt. Pleasant from 5-8 p.m.

In addition to the raffle, the evening will consist of a free will donation soup dinner featuring one of La Tavola’s popular soups and a silent auction.

Donations for the silent auction already include items such as a three-piece set of freshwater pearls donated by Becker’s Jewelers, a Lenovo Ideapad, handmade afghans, gift baskets, and many other donations.

Finally, Mia’s father, Sean, asks the community to consider supporting them in another way.

“Get the word out about being a marrow donor,” he said. “You can be a donor to help save lives. It’s just a quick swab of your mouth and you can be put on a list.”

To donate to Mia’s Gofundme visit https://gofund.me/edc3e0ad

More information about the benefit is available on the Facebook event “Benefit for Mia Gray.”

Additional information on becoming a bone marrow donor is available at www.bethematch.org

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com