POCAHONTAS — Growing up in Pocahontas, Dr. Alex and Tiffany Baltz knew the people of their community were special; however, it wasn’t until their second child, Jacob, was diagnosed with HLH (hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytoisis) that they fully realized the extend of their love.
Jacob, known to his family as Jake, was diagnosed with HLH, a very rare blood disease, when he was eight months old. After being treated at Arkansas Children’s Hospital for two and a half months, Jacob was transferred to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital to begin preparation for a bone marrow transplant, which is tentatively scheduled for Nov. 30.
On Oct. 31, the community and church family at St. Paul Church came together to hold a benefit titled “Harvesting Hope for Jake” that netted $11,425.
Baltz said words would never be enough to express how “thankful” he and his wife were to be a part of such a caring community. Over the years Baltz has seen the community come together in support of such events as the Relay for Life and the Onnie Hawkins 5K Run, the latter of which is sponsored by Pocahontas Medical Clinic where Baltz is a family practice physician. So he wasn’t too surprised to again witness its generosity, but he was “very surprised” when it was done for his family alone.
“For them to get behind one person — to get behind Jake in such a way is a little overwhelming,” Baltz said. “It’s very humbling.”
When first approached with the idea, Baltz was somewhat reluctant, but Leah Privett, a nurse practitioner at Pocahontas Medical Clinic and a member of St. Paul Church, refused to take no for an answer.
“We starting planning in mid-September and when I talked to Alex, he was really reluctant,” Privett said. “He’s a little reserved and private. We just wanted to show our support for them — not so much for the financial support, but just to show we care.
“And it was such a fun way to raise money. We got to help someone, show our love and support for someone who’s going through a tough time. We don’t know that one day we might be going through something such as this. I’d like to think someone would do the same for me,” she added.
“Harvesting Hope for Jake” began with a children’s carnival held on the St. Paul School parking lot. That evening, an adult Halloween Costume Party was held at the Knights of Columbus Hall, which also included a silent auction and gun raffle.
In preparation for the transplant, Baltz said Jacob, who celebrated his first birthday Nov. 16, has been undergoing weekly, low-dose chemotherapy since July. On Nov. 8 Jacob began getting four daily injections of Campath to help reduce some of his white blood cells in order to “wipe out the old” before transplanting the new bone marrow. Jacob’s older sister, Maggie, 2, is a match and will be the donor. Maggie will be given medication a few days prior to the harvest in order to boost her bone marrow.
Baltz said he and his family have gained strength through the support of family and friends. It is their prayers that have allowed him and his family to endure, he said.
“I am very humbled by all of it,” Baltz said. “But it’s knowing that everyone is praying for us that makes this (cross) possible to bear. What everyone did was great but really, and truly, prayers are what he (Jacob) needs and is what will carry him, and us, through this thing.”
To follow Jacob’s progress or send a note of encouragement to the family, visit www.carepages.com.
