Alex Eddy - Revised Page

Greetings old friends and new friends. This is AlexÂ’s Web Page. Alex was diagnosed with Fanconi Anemia at the age of six in 1995. For eight years he fought the gradual progression of this rare hereditary disease, undergoing a 6/6 matched, unrelated bone marrow transplant in June 2002 at Fairview University ChildrenÂ’s Hospital on the University of Minnesota campus.

After a valiant battle Alex died on December 13th from transplant complications, nine days short of his 15th birthday.

We want to thank all of you who have joined us on this journey and supported us throughout this ordeal. We intend to continue journal updates for the foreseeable future, until we have finished sharing what we consider important in AlexÂ’s story.

If you would like a tangible way to honor and remember AlexÂ’s courageous and passionate spirit, we suggest that you make a contribution in his name to one of the following non-profit organizations:

Fanconi Anemia Research Fund
1801 Willamette Street, Ste. 200
Eugene, OR 97401

Shreveport Little League Baseball
2459 E. 70th Street
Shreveport, LA 71105

You may still contact family members directly through the following email addresses:

Sharon: sswanson@sport.rr.com
Dennis: dennislower@sport.rr.com
Gene: gene.eddy@ci.shreveport.la.us
Lynn: lynn.eddy@ci.shreveport.la.us

Sharon's mailing address back in Shreveport is:

Sharon Swanson
8717 East Wilderness Way
Shreveport, LA 71106

Journal

Monday, December 8, 2003 4:19 PM CST

I thought I'd choose this new background for the holiday season because when we were in New Jersey Alex, at the age of 7, experienced the snow for the first time. He learned after his first outing that you have to come in before you turn numb. He cried it hurt so bad as his hands and feet thawed. From there we ventured beyond sledding to cross country skiing. We have so many wonderful memories of those experiences.

We have figured out how we as a family are going to honor Alex on his date of death. As many of you know that is coming up this week--Saturday the 13th. Dennis and I are going to donate blood on Saturday. We plan to do this every year at this time (during the year too). We would like to encourage any of you who would like to honor Alex and are able, to donate blood too. Blood donations are such an essential need to kids with Fanconi Anemia or who go through transplant. I know Alex would feel truly honored by your action.

We're also planning on providing flowers for our church alter this Sunday in his memory and of course, we are busy planning the event for the 22nd. It actually feels good to be doing this. It has brought me comfort, healing, and is helping me to come to terms with this first anniversary. Knowing a full year has passed feels so surreal. I guess his death still feels surreal.

Anyway, we are forging ahead and creating our Christmas traditions as a "reconfigured" family. It's a learning process for all of us and in the end strengthens us. For that, and all the love and support that surrounds us,

We are truly blessed.

Sharon, Dennis & John

Look at past journal entries

Email address  : sswanson@sport.rr.com

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Note: The foregoing information was authored by the patient, parent or guardian, or other parties who are solely responsible for the content. Such announcements or their content are not necessarily endorsed by CaringBridge, Inc. or any sponsoring agent.  This information does not confirm that anyone is or was actually a patient at any facility.