We were recently asked by a loving grandmother if we 
would “join the village” and help her newest grandson Paul.
Paul Gallagher was born on November 10, 2017. He has the rare diagnosis of Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID), which without specialized treatment is fatal. SCID may be best known from news stories and a movie in the 1980’s. David, the “Boy in the Bubble,” who was born without a working immune system. SCID is the result of an immune system so highly compromised that it is considered almost absent.
Caused by defects in several genes, SCID makes those affected highly susceptible to life-threatening infections by viruses, bacteria and fungi. There are several forms of SCID. The most common type is linked to the X-chromosome, making this form affect only males. For Paul it is primarily an absence of T-lymphocyte and B-lymphocyte functioning. He cannot make white blood cells on his own. He has been in isolation since he was born. And he will be for several more months; likely until he’s at least one year old [if not older] if all goes well.
‘Paulie’ will need chemotherapy, gene therapy, and potentially a bone marrow transplant. Luckily in the past 5 years there has been a lot of research. Though he has a long and difficult road ahead of him. His prognosis is better than it would be if this were 10 years ago.
‘Paulie’ is now 5 months old and beating the odds already with his survival and is thriving in isolation. He is beautiful and strong, and his family has faith. He only leaves isolation, for preliminary appointments for upcoming treatments at Boston Children’s Hospital. Currently only his parents and grandmother are allowed to spend time with him. As long as they show no signs of any illness and have not been around anyone who is ill. Mom spends most of her time at the hospital with him. Dad switches off when he is not working and maintaining their apartment. Paul has 8 cousins along with Aunts and Uncles who have only been able to see him with video chats.
Treatment for SCID includes gene therapy and bone marrow transplant. Paulie has checked into Boston Children’s for a month’s stay. He will begin getting prepped for his two days of chemotherapy. Then he will be getting a days break. Lastly he will be getting his healthy cells back. If his treatment goes well, and we have faith it will. In a couple of years this little boy could lead a healthy normal life. He will need “maintenance medication” if all goes well, but he will not need to be isolated after a couple of years. 
Cameron’s Crusaders has “joined their village” by providing Paul’s family with an air purifier for when they are able to bring him home. Along with a counter-top bottle sterilizer and dryer that his parents will be able to use on his bottles. It can be used as he grows and starts to use plates, cups, toys and other utensils. To help make sure that Paul’s room at home is clean and sterile they need to wipe everything down (at least 2x a day) with disinfecting wipes. We will be supplying them with two years supply of Lysol Disinfecting Wipes.
Pediatric Emergency
“This once-fatal disease should be now seen as a pediatric emergency. A condition that needs immediate diagnosis and treatment”, says Dr. Rebecca Buckley, of Duke’s division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology. Early diagnosis of SCID is still uncommon because not all states routinely perform a test in newborns which could alert physicians to the possibility of a T cell defect. The newborn screening heel stick test could pick up children with SCID, as well as those with other serious immune deficiencies, that would not be apparent until the child developed an infection. This simple blood test could allow us to treat, and most likely cure SCID in an infant at a reasonable cost. If found later, less effective treatment can run into the millions. Buckley states, “What we’re saying is that essentially every baby with SCID could be cured if diagnosed early enough. SCID should be considered a pediatric emergency.”
We are keeping Paul and his family in our thoughts and prayers as they continue the long journey of treatments.
You can donate to Paulie and his parents at https://www.gofundme.com/54l03zc
Or send a donation to Cameron’s Crusaders. Please indicate that it is for the Gallagher family and we will make sure that they receive it.