My oldest son Grant has developed into my best hunting buddy, the best hunting story teller and ultimately my best friend! Grant is 6 years old and has killed 3 bucks with a crossbow and this past spring shot his first tom with a .410. He truly is everything that I have ever dreamed of for a son. He has my passion for the hunt and I have made it my goal to give him every opportunity at success in the field.
This past September, about the same time as youth season, our world was flipped upside down. Our Grant, my Grant, my best buddy, was diagnosed with a bone marrow failure disorder known as Severe Aplastic Anemia. This is an extremely rare condition with less than 10,000 cases known worldwide! In a nutshell, Grant's bone marrow is not able to produce enough blood cells to support his body. Because of this, Grant has been receiving weekly platelet transfusions and periodic red blood transfusions when needed. The rarity and severity of this disease is absolutely terrifying! Our local hospital has only seen this disease a handful of times and most of them were referrals from other locations.
My wife and I are determined to find and get the best care for Grant... We have been to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, had zoom meetings with Children's of Philadelphia, Children's of Cincinnati and we are currently sitting in Milwaukee seeking treatment from a highly recommended physician. Hopefully this is the answer that we have been searching for but if not, we will keep hunting...
The only cure for Grant's condition is a Bone Marrow Transplant. And in order to do a BMT you must have an acceptable donor. This is where things get frustrating... There are over 7 billion people on this planet and only 9 million are registered to be a bone marrow donor. THERE ARE OVER 4,000 PEOPLE WAITING ON A DONOR, RIGHT NOW, WITHOUT A MATCH! These are people with life threatening conditions like my son that will NEED a donor to continue their run at life.
Guys, this is my only "ask"... Look into getting swabbed to be a donor. It is as easy as anything you will ever do. You can go to bethematch.com and they will send you a swab kit, with return postage. Chances are that you will never be called upon to truly decide if you want to donate but being on the registry is the best way to give someone hope at life!
This past March I purchased my first "farm". And prior to this family health crisis, it's all I could think about. I have dreamed of owning my own piece since I was a little kid. And from the moment I stepped on this piece, I knew it was the one.
Here is the buck that I shot 11/13. My biggest buck to date and probably the biggest deer I will ever kill and maybe see. Taped him out at 222".
In the future, I plan to use this deer as a vehicle to educate people on my sons condition and ultimately do my part to give everyone in a similar position the second chance at life. If there is anyone out there that is willing to write up an article, please contact me. Because for me, it truly is more than a buck.
This past March I purchased my first "farm". And prior to this family health crisis, it's all I could think about. I have dreamed of owning my own piece since I was a little kid. And from the moment I stepped on this piece, I knew it was the one.
Here is the buck that I shot 11/13. My biggest buck to date and probably the biggest deer I will ever kill and maybe see. Taped him out at 222".
In the future, I plan to use this deer as a vehicle to educate people on my sons condition and ultimately do my part to give everyone in a similar position the second chance at life. If there is anyone out there that is willing to write up an article, please contact me. Because for me, it truly is more than a buck.
I will look in to getting tested to see if I’m a compatible donor.
As far as getting this case some additional attention, I would get in touch with “writer” (Michael Pearce). I’m sure he’ll stop by here shortly.
Prayers for Grant, and congratulations on that buck of a lifetime! :)
If there is anything that I know about the hunting "community" its this, we all appreciate big bucks and we are all willing to help out! I just truly never thought that I would be on this end of things.
You shot a lot of bone there and hopefully there’s a way like you said to maybe utilize that in a way to help his little bones so y’all can keep hunting bone together. My prayers are with the little man and feel free to PM me if you need anything and I’ll do what I can. Tell Grant congrats for me on his big deer too.
Both great bucks, great smiles, hoping everything works out for the best...be strong little man!
Your deer, :O
I’d kind of given up on “One Arrow”, but your post... Let’s just say, it’s on.
Lastly, congrats on 2 great bucks!
Secondly, what parts of Kansas was that beast shot in? I was chasing a similar buck in Unit 9 and was curious. Either way, great buck and awesome experience with the kiddo!
