Glenburn pupils help friend battling leukemia

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Third-graders attending Glenburn Elementary School probably know more about the meaning of the words leukemia, chemotherapy, blood components, blood drives, bone marrow transplant and donors than many adults.

That is because those words have become as much a part of their lives as their friendship with 9-year-old classmate Tristan Hersey.

Tristan, the son of Beth Hersey of Glenburn, lives with his grandmother Joletta Campbell.

In April 1997, Tristan was diagnosed with leukemia. He was treated and remained in remission until February of this year.

Although Tristan is allowed home for brief visits, he has spent most of the time since February at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, where today he begins a new regimen of chemotherapy, his grandmother said.

Tristan also is in the national donor registry, awaiting a match for a bone marrow transplant.

Campbell learned just last week that MBNA has agreed to fly Tristan and a parent or guardian to Children’s Center Hospital in Milwaukee, Wis., when that match becomes available.

“We’ve been told to pack our suitcases, because we could have just three days’ notice before we go,” his grandmother said.

And while Tristan’s life is one of doctors, nurses, hospitals and treatments these days, his classmates’ lives are filled with learning about what his life is like and discovering ways to help him, physically and emotionally.

For example, Angela Bilodeau, a recruiter for the American Cross Blood Services New England Region Bangor Donor Center, recently visited with the third-graders to tell them about blood donors and bone marrow testing.

The youngsters, their schoolmates, staff, parents, families and friends are all working hard to encourage members of the public to donate blood during the University of Maine’s annual blood drive from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 17, at Wells Commons on the Orono campus.

“At the blood donation, people can also be worked up for a bone marrow match and be listed on the national marrow donor registry,” explained Glenburn school nurse Rachel Gallant.

While there is often a fee for this effort, during the UMaine blood drive, the bone marrow match work will be free.

“We’re not particularly looking for a match for Tristan,” his grandmother explained, “but maybe a match would be found for someone else.”

The third-graders also have been working on a project for Tristan.

Under the direction of art teacher Nancy Snyder, the youngsters made paper squares during art classes. Snyder transferred those squares to cloth, which she made into a quilt.

“Most of the kids made animals, because Tristan likes animals,” Gallant said of their colorful drawings, “and the border Nancy made features different animals the kids thought Tristan would like.

“The quilt is beautiful,” Gallant said, “and the kids all got to sign the quilt with wonderful ink pens.”

The quilt, in and of itself, is certainly very special, but it was made for a particular purpose: to help comfort Tristan when he’s far away from home.

“They made this for Tristan; for him to bring with him when he goes for his transplant,” Gallant said of the gift he has yet to receive.

And while the third-graders have been busy, so have all their schoolmates.

The National Junior Honor Society members “will be doing different fund-raisers for Tristan,” Gallant said of efforts such as placing money collection containers in local stores.

“Classrooms throughout the school are sending him cards. We have 27 classrooms, and each class takes a turn so Tristan keeps getting mail from us.”

On the wall of the Glenburn Elementary School lobby is Tristan’s picture and information about him and his situation, placed there by Gallant.

“It’s all part of the commitment by the community,” Gallant said of efforts to assist the family.

“We have this huge card that’s about 2 to 3 feet wide, and the kids are putting it together. That’s in the lobby, too.”

Another card for Tristan is at the ARC Donor Center, 900-B Hammond St. in Bangor, where people are encouraged to donate blood. When they do, they can add their good wishes to the card for Tristan.

Plans to assist Tristan and his family include a raffle next July, Gallant said.

Anyone wishing to help the youngster during this difficult time can do so by making a check out to Town of Glenburn, with a notation that it is a Tristan Hersey Donation, and mail it to the Superintendent’s Office, 983 Hudson Road, Glenburn 04401.

If you would like more information about how you can help, call Gallant at the school (947-8769, Ext. 234.)

In the meantime, watch this column for updates on Tristan’s progress.

On behalf of all associated with the Hammond Street Senior Center, administrator Courtney Sanders invites members of the public to attend its Art Show and Sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today through Friday, April 6, at the Senior Center, 2 Hammond St. in Bangor.

A multimedia exhibition is not only a celebration of the center’s second anniversary, it also is an opportunity for the creative talents of the center’s members to be exhibited.

According to Sanders, this is the first of several activities planned for this year that will involve the community.

If you would like more information about this exhibit or about the opportunities available at the Hammond Street Senior Center, call 262-5532.

Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; 990-8288.