Liam is a bright, energetic, and happy 9 year old, who at 4 months old was diagnosed with a rare bone marrow failure syndrome called Diamond Blackfan Anemia. Liam’s body is not able to produce his own red blood cells.
Liam is currently responding well to steroid treatment. Steroids, however, are detrimental to long term health, and can stop being effective at any time. Many others with DBA depend on regular blood transfusions, which results in iron build-up in the blood and on organs. A bone marrow transplant curative of anemia symptoms, but comes with tremendous risks. While medical advances have improved the average lifespan of those with DBA, a growing body of research is showing the numerous complications and risk factors included with this syndrome.
Liam and others need more research and more funding to open more and better doors to treatment. Please explore this page, read our blog to keep up with his adventures, and consider making any small donation to the DBA Foundation in Liam’s name .