Community effort needed to help courageous teen
Published on March 28th, 2001
STONEHAM, MA - “I can handle more problems, but I really don’t want anymore,” Kelly Conlon says. Kelly’s had a double-lung transplant before, and she knows what can happen. At age three doctors at Boston Children’s Hospital diagnosed Kelly with Bronchitis Obliterans, a degenerative lung disease. In 1992 at age five Kelly underwent a double-lung transplant, and it saved her life. But today Kelly faces the same ordeal, and her parents Sandy and Jeffrey are reaching out for help. Stoneham residents Wendy Cayton at 438-5178 and Cindy DiRusso at 279-0788 are working with Mike Miller of the national Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) at 800-366-2682 to help organize a local effort to raise money to pay for the operation and care Kelly needs. The scary part, Kelly says, is after the transplant, waiting to see if the drugs she takes prevent her body from rejecting the foreign organ, and waiting to see if those drugs cause other painful side effects, like kidney failure. Those drugs cost around $3,500 a week. Kelly — a 14-year-old eighth grader — explains her personal struggle with patience, wearing a kind smile. Saving Kelly’s life feels more urgent with every passing moment as the picture of her wonderful life comes into focus. Kelly plays and laughs with little sister Kasey, age 10, as mom Sandy Conlon describes how she had to explain death to her young daughters. (Katelynn, age 12, is at dance class.) Although diminutive, Kelly is intellectually and emotionally mature. She speaks about the importance of her faith and worries that she does not do enough for her friends who are so kind to her. “They sent me a Vermont Teddy Bear,” she beams. Kelly was recently confirmed in the All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Stoneham, a rite of passage into adulthood which she truly deserves. But she is just a normal kid, too. She likes to read and do crafts. She was a Girl Scout and likes to “hang out” with friends. She fondly recalls her favorite childhood trips to Disney World, Mount Rushmore and Hershey Park. Today Kelly is not well enough to attend school. She went to Robin Hood Elementary and then the Middle School until around 18 months ago, when her lungs began to fail. At one point she stopped breathing and had to be rushed to the hospital and put on ventilation. “I’m going to the High School next year,” Kelly says. This simple statement has the plangent tone of a wish, and only a great deal from a great many may make it come true. Miller says that doctors estimate that a match for Kelly should be available by June, based on past experience. “It is hard to think about, but we understand someone must die to save her,” Miller said. “This is the nature of organ transplants.” If a match comes up, then the funds complete the wish list. Miller says that COTA plans to contact civic, religious and community groups in and around Stoneham to raise $150,000 for Kelly. COTA does not take an administrative fee. All the money will go to pay for Kelly’s transplant and the crucial pre- and post-transplant medication. Miller hopes to complete the fund raiser in around 20 to 24 weeks. In a world of time and money, any effort expended to save this child’s life will add innumerable value to our entire community.
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