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January 20, 2015 • Headlines
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To demonstrate how the community can support their youth, Supt. Paul Ketcham, center, role plays as his “peers” (actually Milan students) throw insults in the form of bean bag balls at him but community members field off the taunts and protect him. MARY MATTINGLY PHOTO |
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Blood and bone marrow drive Tuesday, Jan. 27 • 1 to 6:30 p.m. Crossroads Restaurant 615 W US 50, Versailles Blood donation Blood donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and generally feel well. Appointments are preferable, but not necessary. Go online at www.hoxworth.org/groups/camille to join the Cure Camille drive. Bone marrow Be The Match is a bone marrow registry that links thousands of donors to patients. A cheek swab is done, and if it’s a potential match, you will be contacted for the next step. Additional testing may be needed. |
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Cure Camille!
2 year old cancer victim needs bone marrow transplant
Mary Mattingly
EDITOR
mmattingly@ripleynews.com
Camille Evans has spent most of her short life in a hospital. The only child of Michael Evans and Emily Evans, the two year old knows doctors and nurses at Children’s Hospital in Cincinnati probably as well as her own grandparents! Her infectious smile, personality and fighting spirit have drawn in staff to visit her even when she’s not their patient. “She just has an uplifting spirit, and she smiles and laughs. She blows kisses all the time,” says grandma Kim Evans, obviously enamored with her only grandchild. “You know she’s sick if she doesn’t blow you a kiss.”
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Pictured left, 20 pound Camille Evans makes the most of her stay at the hospital.
Camille was just 5 weeks old when she was taken for her first wellness check-up. She had some small bruising, which they thought could be from the car seat, but the doctor decided to have some blood drawn. Kim recalls, “On the way home, Michael and Emily got a call from the doctor and were told immediately to get her to Children’s Hospital. She had leukemia.” Michael is the son of Kim and Greg Evans of Osgood, and Kathy Steele of Washington. He is a 2005 Jac-Cen-Del graduate. Emily Evans of Versailles was home schooled and is the daughter of Tony Montgomery of Versailles and Vicki Vandermolen of Indianapolis.
Camille was admitted and diagnosed with (ALL) Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. It’s a cancer where the bone marrow doesn’t work quite right. Camille was one of the youngest children ever diagnosed with ALL. She had so many lymphoblasts in her blood stream, the measuring device surpassed its maximum count, according to Kim. It was a crisis, and the staff doctors had tears for baby Camille. If she had been a year or two older, she would have had almost a 90 percent cure rate. But Camille is an amazing fighter, soaring through treatment with strength. She has undergone two rounds of chemotherapy. The first round was administered daily at the hospital in Cincinnati, but the second year she received treatment at home and monthly at Children’s Hospital. “They say when you do chemo it’s not the cancer that causes death, but the treatment itself...But it was the only option,” Kim said. “Unfortunately, 41 days from the end of her two year treatment, Camille relapsed. Her leukemia returned.” Yet the goal to “Cure Camille” continues, just with a different approach.
Another round of chemo started Jan. 14. “We are hoping for total remission. We should know in two weeks.” Assuming that happens, a bone marrow transplant process will begin. That’s where the family needs help. They are asking the community and beyond to register as a blood and/or bone marrow donor. Be The Match (bone marrow registry) and Hoxworth Blood Center help save lives with such donations. The family explains that Camille uses a lot of blood products during her treatments. A blood drive will be set up at Crossroads Restaurant on US 50 in Versailles, which is co-owned by Kim and Greg Evans with David Swinney, on Tuesday, Jan. 27 from 1 to 6:30 p.m. Their goal is 50 blood donors and 500 bone marrow donors. “The more the better,” Kim said of the bone marrow registry. “It just takes a few seconds for a swab. If it is not a match for Camille, it might match someone else in dire need.”
A bone marrow transplant is a last resort for a leukemia patient like Camille. But the family is optimistic, so much so they talk about Camille being the flower girl in her uncle’s wedding in March. With a bone marrow transplant, “There is a 60 percent cure rate...We are not thinking beyond that,” Kim said. Camille had some life and death infections last month, but she is doing remarkably well now, her grandma says. A port to administer pain relief was inserted at one point, and that helped. The little girl knows little else than this life of hospital beds, needles and medications. Her disease has caused some physical delays, but she is walking and talking, and it has not affected her mental capacity. “She is very smart and uses the cell phone better than me,” said Kim Evans. This health crisis has given the family a new perspective. “We live everyday as the last,” said the wise grandmother. She’s also learned there are several in the community facing organ transplants and other serious health issues. Your health is not something to take for granted, she added. “I never thought this would happen to us.” Once she receives the transplant, Camille will be off limits due to the risk of infection. She’ll be in isolation, with just her parents for 100 days, but they must live within 15 minutes of the hospital, just in case. “We will see her through this, and when she is in college I’ll give her heck for what she put us through!” Kim Evans said, and laughed.
Blood and bone marrow drive
WHEN: Tuesday, Jan. 27 from 1 to 6:30 p.m.
WHERE: Crossroads Restaurant located at 615 W US 50 in Versailles
Blood donation
Blood donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and generally feel well. Appointments are preferable, but not necessary. Go online at www.hoxworth.org/groups/camille to join the Cure Camille drive.
Bone marrow
Be The Match is a bone marrow registry that links thousands of donors to patients. A cheek swab is done, and if it’s a potential match, you will be contacted for the next step. Additional testing may be needed.
Reorganizational meeting for Milan
Sandy Day Howard
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Milan Community Schools Attorney Larry Eaton administered the oath of office Monday, Jan. 12 to school board members Gregory Lewis and Timothy Tuttle in a special, reorganizational session. Lewis, a veteran member of the board who was recently reelected, was also voted into the president’s position at the board’s first meeting of the new year. Long term member and previous board president Tuttle was selected to serve as the new vice president while member Jason Honeycut was voted into the secretary’s position. Michael Brandes who was recently elected to fill a seat, was also sworn in by Eaton.
Superintendent Paul Ketcham informed the board of a collaborative effort by all three guidance counselors that was responsible for putting together a community information session on substance abuse and peer pressure. The event was held at the high school on January 15. The purpose was to increase awareness of drug and alcohol issues and their effect on schools and community.
A $20,000 grant from the Rising Sun Regional Foundation has been awarded to the school, thanks to the diligence of Paula Karsteter, who wrote the grant request. The funds will be used to make improvements to the town’s softball field, which the corporation leases for school sports. “I’d like to thank Paula Karsteter on behalf of the board,” Tuttle said. “Her hard work has allowed us to be able to do this. Without her, this grant wouldn’t have been possible.”
Personnel
Karstetter was also approved to attend the Indiana Music Educators Conference while Todd Yates’ request on behalf of the student council to have a fundraiser was also met with board approval. Two resignations were accepted: One from pre-school bus aide Heather Dudgeon and the other from elementary maintenance supervisor Michael Zinz. Pat Murphy’s recommendation to hire Mary Tuttle to fill the bus aid position was approved. It was noted that Tuttle’s position will include serving as an instructional aide for the middle school.
At the meeting’s end, new member Michael Brandes addressed the board and patrons, thanking them for their support and confidence in electing him to the position. “I look forward to working with these other members and in serving on the board,” he concluded.
Each of the four councilmen, along with Ketcham, thanked their fellow board members for their commitment to Milan schools and voiced their appreciation to students, teachers and staff for all they do to benefit the educational advancement of Milan’s children. The next meeting is scheduled for February 9 at the administration office at 7 p.m.
2 year old cancer victim needs bone marrow transplant
Mary Mattingly
EDITOR
mmattingly@ripleynews.com
Camille Evans has spent most of her short life in a hospital. The only child of Michael Evans and Emily Evans, the two year old knows doctors and nurses at Children’s Hospital in Cincinnati probably as well as her own grandparents! Her infectious smile, personality and fighting spirit have drawn in staff to visit her even when she’s not their patient. “She just has an uplifting spirit, and she smiles and laughs. She blows kisses all the time,” says grandma Kim Evans, obviously enamored with her only grandchild. “You know she’s sick if she doesn’t blow you a kiss.”
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Pictured left, 20 pound Camille Evans makes the most of her stay at the hospital.
Camille was just 5 weeks old when she was taken for her first wellness check-up. She had some small bruising, which they thought could be from the car seat, but the doctor decided to have some blood drawn. Kim recalls, “On the way home, Michael and Emily got a call from the doctor and were told immediately to get her to Children’s Hospital. She had leukemia.” Michael is the son of Kim and Greg Evans of Osgood, and Kathy Steele of Washington. He is a 2005 Jac-Cen-Del graduate. Emily Evans of Versailles was home schooled and is the daughter of Tony Montgomery of Versailles and Vicki Vandermolen of Indianapolis.
Camille was admitted and diagnosed with (ALL) Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. It’s a cancer where the bone marrow doesn’t work quite right. Camille was one of the youngest children ever diagnosed with ALL. She had so many lymphoblasts in her blood stream, the measuring device surpassed its maximum count, according to Kim. It was a crisis, and the staff doctors had tears for baby Camille. If she had been a year or two older, she would have had almost a 90 percent cure rate. But Camille is an amazing fighter, soaring through treatment with strength. She has undergone two rounds of chemotherapy. The first round was administered daily at the hospital in Cincinnati, but the second year she received treatment at home and monthly at Children’s Hospital. “They say when you do chemo it’s not the cancer that causes death, but the treatment itself...But it was the only option,” Kim said. “Unfortunately, 41 days from the end of her two year treatment, Camille relapsed. Her leukemia returned.” Yet the goal to “Cure Camille” continues, just with a different approach.
Another round of chemo started Jan. 14. “We are hoping for total remission. We should know in two weeks.” Assuming that happens, a bone marrow transplant process will begin. That’s where the family needs help. They are asking the community and beyond to register as a blood and/or bone marrow donor. Be The Match (bone marrow registry) and Hoxworth Blood Center help save lives with such donations. The family explains that Camille uses a lot of blood products during her treatments. A blood drive will be set up at Crossroads Restaurant on US 50 in Versailles, which is co-owned by Kim and Greg Evans with David Swinney, on Tuesday, Jan. 27 from 1 to 6:30 p.m. Their goal is 50 blood donors and 500 bone marrow donors. “The more the better,” Kim said of the bone marrow registry. “It just takes a few seconds for a swab. If it is not a match for Camille, it might match someone else in dire need.”
A bone marrow transplant is a last resort for a leukemia patient like Camille. But the family is optimistic, so much so they talk about Camille being the flower girl in her uncle’s wedding in March. With a bone marrow transplant, “There is a 60 percent cure rate...We are not thinking beyond that,” Kim said. Camille had some life and death infections last month, but she is doing remarkably well now, her grandma says. A port to administer pain relief was inserted at one point, and that helped. The little girl knows little else than this life of hospital beds, needles and medications. Her disease has caused some physical delays, but she is walking and talking, and it has not affected her mental capacity. “She is very smart and uses the cell phone better than me,” said Kim Evans. This health crisis has given the family a new perspective. “We live everyday as the last,” said the wise grandmother. She’s also learned there are several in the community facing organ transplants and other serious health issues. Your health is not something to take for granted, she added. “I never thought this would happen to us.” Once she receives the transplant, Camille will be off limits due to the risk of infection. She’ll be in isolation, with just her parents for 100 days, but they must live within 15 minutes of the hospital, just in case. “We will see her through this, and when she is in college I’ll give her heck for what she put us through!” Kim Evans said, and laughed.
Blood and bone marrow drive
WHEN: Tuesday, Jan. 27 from 1 to 6:30 p.m.
WHERE: Crossroads Restaurant located at 615 W US 50 in Versailles
Blood donation
Blood donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and generally feel well. Appointments are preferable, but not necessary. Go online at www.hoxworth.org/groups/camille to join the Cure Camille drive.
Bone marrow
Be The Match is a bone marrow registry that links thousands of donors to patients. A cheek swab is done, and if it’s a potential match, you will be contacted for the next step. Additional testing may be needed.
Reorganizational meeting for Milan
Sandy Day Howard
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Milan Community Schools Attorney Larry Eaton administered the oath of office Monday, Jan. 12 to school board members Gregory Lewis and Timothy Tuttle in a special, reorganizational session. Lewis, a veteran member of the board who was recently reelected, was also voted into the president’s position at the board’s first meeting of the new year. Long term member and previous board president Tuttle was selected to serve as the new vice president while member Jason Honeycut was voted into the secretary’s position. Michael Brandes who was recently elected to fill a seat, was also sworn in by Eaton.
Superintendent Paul Ketcham informed the board of a collaborative effort by all three guidance counselors that was responsible for putting together a community information session on substance abuse and peer pressure. The event was held at the high school on January 15. The purpose was to increase awareness of drug and alcohol issues and their effect on schools and community.
A $20,000 grant from the Rising Sun Regional Foundation has been awarded to the school, thanks to the diligence of Paula Karsteter, who wrote the grant request. The funds will be used to make improvements to the town’s softball field, which the corporation leases for school sports. “I’d like to thank Paula Karsteter on behalf of the board,” Tuttle said. “Her hard work has allowed us to be able to do this. Without her, this grant wouldn’t have been possible.”
Personnel
Karstetter was also approved to attend the Indiana Music Educators Conference while Todd Yates’ request on behalf of the student council to have a fundraiser was also met with board approval. Two resignations were accepted: One from pre-school bus aide Heather Dudgeon and the other from elementary maintenance supervisor Michael Zinz. Pat Murphy’s recommendation to hire Mary Tuttle to fill the bus aid position was approved. It was noted that Tuttle’s position will include serving as an instructional aide for the middle school.
At the meeting’s end, new member Michael Brandes addressed the board and patrons, thanking them for their support and confidence in electing him to the position. “I look forward to working with these other members and in serving on the board,” he concluded.
Each of the four councilmen, along with Ketcham, thanked their fellow board members for their commitment to Milan schools and voiced their appreciation to students, teachers and staff for all they do to benefit the educational advancement of Milan’s children. The next meeting is scheduled for February 9 at the administration office at 7 p.m.
