Support for Leukemia Patient Continues

On January 10, 2009, ten-year-old Kyle Dean Smith was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Monocytic Leukemia. He has been a patient at the University of Kentucky's Children's Hospital ever since. He has there been receiving chemotherapy treatments aimed at maintaining health and keeping him alive until such time as a bone marrow match could be found.

The family and friends of Kyle Dean Smith worked hard to find that match. With the support of local communities and generous people everywhere, they held 18 bone marrow testing drives over a period of two months all across eastern Kentucky and as far as Lexington, KY. Approximately 600 people came to be tested. Barbara Nolan at the Cleveland Clinic said that the family and friends of Kyle Dean Smith thus created a legacy that would help those in need of bone marrow transplants for generations to come. And several complete matches were found for Smith.

On April 29, 2009, this brave boy will be transfered to the Cincinnati Children's Hospital to undergo preparation for his bone marrow transplant that will include very strong doses of chemotherapy that will aim at killing all bone marrow cells in his body and permanently stopping any further production of them. When that is achieved, he will then be ready for the transplant which will be a simple process similar to infusing fluids through an IV. Smith's transplant is tentatively scheduled for May 12, 2009.

Since this will usher in the most critical stage of his treatment- his family call it "the kill or cure shot"- waves of support continue to pour out for the young boy. The latest of such instances are a Prayer Walk for Smith in Elkhorn City, KY. and a moment of prayer at Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama.

On Thursday, April 23, 2009, Councilman Mike Taylor organised a Prayer Walk for Smith in his hometown of Elkhorn City, KY. at 7 p.m. Although his brother had died and first-night services were being held for him at that time, Taylor left them to lead the walk and returned to the funeral home afterwards. He reported that about 30 individuals came for the event. Starting at the city park, the march continued on to the retired train caboose that now serves as the office for tourist information. Walkers carried a large banner stating support for Smith and a group prayer was held at the caboose before the walkers dispersed. Taylor reported good weather for the event.

Also, on April 25, 2009, the people attending a free concert (O.A.R. was the performing artist) at the Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama reportedly paused the festivities for a moment to offer prayer for Kyle Dean Smith. Some also offered donations to help defer the costs of his treatments.

What began as a family-oriented effort to do everything that could be done to save the life of a beloved boy has become a national phenomenon as more and more people organise their own events to show support for little Smith. Kyle Dean Smith and his family and friends are overwhelmed and grateful for the extraordinary outpourings of human kindness.