BEDFORD – Bedford Fire Department Local 728 firefighters have shaved their heads in solidarity with Ethan Holsapple. Ethan is the son of Jeremy and Amy Holsapple. Jeremy is a firefighter at the Bedford Fire Department.
“Ethan, we want you to know that we are with you in this fight. You are in the thoughts and prayers of every 728 members every hour of every day. We know your fight is far from over and we will be here for you until you are back home safe with all of your family! Stay strong little brother!,” the firefighters posted on Facebook.
Ethan, is Jeremy and Amy’s youngest child. He was a rambunctious, healthy boy until December 2021. The 13-year-old began suffering from severe gastrointestinal issues. He was in severe pain, was unable to eat, and was losing half a pound of weight per day. His health began deteriorating quickly.
Ethan was admitted to Riley’s Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis where he was a patient for most of 2022. Ultimately, he was stabilized and was diagnosed with Histoplasmosis in his intestinal tract and began a one-year treatment regimen to rid his system of this infection.
Histoplasmosis is an infection caused by a fungus found in soil, particularly around places where large amounts of bird or bat droppings accumulate. In the United States Histoplasma is most common in Midwestern states, especially in the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys. It is estimated that around 60% of people living in southern Indiana and southern Ohio have Histoplasmosis in their bodies but their immune systems keep it suppressed.
The main question Ethan’s physicians had was why his immune system had failed to prevent this infection.
By August, after extensive testing, Ethan was diagnosed with CD40 Ligand Deficiency. CD40 Ligand Deficiency is an extremely rare immunodeficiency disorder that is found in only one in 500,000 male children.
In a nutshell, the absence of ligands prevents T-cells from interacting with other cells so they can produce antibodies. Consequently, it leaves the individual with no immune system.
Through God’s providence, Ethan was referred to the National Institute for Health in Bethesda, Maryland. He has been placed under the care of Luigi D. Notarangelo M.D. and his team of physicians. Dr. Notarangelo is one of the foremost experts in the world on CD40 Ligand Deficiency.
Ethan had a bone marrow transplant on July 20th.
On July 27th the family posted this update:
“Our brave little man is beginning to suffer from the effects of the chemotherapy. Ethan has developed mucositis which is sores in his mouth and throat from the chemo treatments.
Doctors advised that the mucositis usually last a week or so but could be longer.
His Care Team has advised that the worst of the side effects usually occur between 12 and 24 days of the transplant.
Upon talking to the parents of other transplant recipients, recuperation times and complications vary as widely as the patients themselves.
They have placed a feeding tube through his nose for when he is unable to eat.
The recreational therapy stopped by this morning to play Monopoly but he didn’t feel up to it. He has had a rough day.
Thankfully he is sleeping due to the pain medication.
Ethan is receiving medication 24 hours a day not only for pain but also to prevent Graft vs. Host Disease and other potential infections.
We appreciate the continued prayers of everyone back home and across the country. We also thank God for sustaining us thus far and meeting all our needs
Jeremy & Amy Holsapple
To help the family financially, please consider making a donate here:
