“We cannot forget the stories of individuals who are no longer with us.”
Brandon Smith
1993 –
1993
Brandon’s battle began in November of 1993 when he came down with his first cold. He was 6 months old at the time and appeared to be a “normal” baby without any infections until he did not respond to a cold like a “normal” baby would. He was admitted to the hospital when he showed failure to thrive. He had a difficult time eating, a rash on his face, thrush in his mouth, and his fingernails had turned blue. Brandon did not respond to treatment and was quickly transferred from hospital to hospital, while the doctors battled for answers and some kind of a diagnosis. Finally, after being in the hospital for 3 weeks the doctors came up with a “preliminary” diagnosis, SCID, or “The Bubble Boy Disease.” Three and a half weeks after initially becoming ill,on December 14,1993 he earned his wings.