Two time survivor at age 5

In 2005 and 2006 our lives were turned upside down. First Brandon was diagnosed with Acute Liver Failure and was in critical need of a Liver transplant. Within 1 week he went from a healthy 4-year-old boy to fighting for his life on a respirator. The cause was unknown then and is still to this day a mystery. He then received a living relative's (Partial Liver) from his Uncle Mike in Texas, and he was cured (So we thought).

Unfortunately after being home for a few months, we began to notice a lot of bruising on his body, not normal for him. After a simple blood test at Covenant medical Center, we got a call from the doctor saying we needed to get him to Iowa City for further testing. It was then when we met with our new best friends, Dr. Goldman and Steve. He then diagnosed Brandon with Severe Aplastic Anemia, and would most likely need a Bone Marrow Transplant. Not the news we wanted to hear after just going through a liver transplant. We first tried a treatment of ATG, which did not work; his Marrow was just not producing cells.

In February 2006, his 14-year-old brother Ryan was a perfect match for Brandon, and on Valentines Day he donated his Marrow to his baby brother Brandon to save his life. Today almost 2 years later, he is a normal healthy 6-year-old boy, going to school, and playing sports (i.e.: Wrestling). Thank You Dance Marathon for making our lives easier through the transplant experience, and continuing to take care of us after treatment. Thank you for the Comforts of the transplant unit, and the funding for Children's Miracle Network, who also played a GIANT part in our lives and recovery.

Love to you, and God Bless You All,

The Kauffman Family

Carepage: BrandonMichaelKauffman