Matt Drope, a bone marrow failure survivor, was asked to speak on a panel with other young survivors at the pediatric and adolescent aplastic anemia and marrow failure meeting.
This all-day event was held at the Child and Family Research Institute in Vancouver.
Matt’s panel was the final presentation in a day that covered topics from current science and research to long-term issues stemming from treatment.
Matt shared his experience of going through a bone marrow transplant, and then answered questions from the audience, many of whom were parents facing future treatment of their own children.
“I want to help the next people,” the 11-year-old from the Sunshine Coast said. “I want my experience to make theirs better.”
Matt was diagnosed with aplastic anemia last August, and when he didn’t respond to initial immune suppression therapy, he had to undergo a bone marrow transplant over Christmas.
The diagnoses happened very fast, but with the support of family and friends and lots of fundraising on the Sunshine Coast, Matt and his family received the necessary support and care they so desperately needed. The family is grateful for that community support.
For more information on these diseases, see www.aamac.ca
