Teen on the mend after US treatment
A Geraldton teenager who is in California undergoing a medical trial for a rare blood disorder is showing signs of improvement.
Bjorn Tranquim, 14, who has undergone stem cell treatment for adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) at the University of California, Los Angeles, has learned his blood count is improving after chemotherapy and transfusion of his own blood cells.
Still confined to hospital, Bjorn told The Geraldton Guardian he was very happy the treatment was going well.
“I am in hospital — it’s a little boring, I guess, staying in bed all day, but I can walk around and I usually play keyboard,” he said.
“I love Geraldton because I’ve made so many friends and the beaches there are amazing and I love the school, but here I love the church and all the nurses at UCLA and I love the location that we are at.”
Bjorn’s mother, Nalini Tranquim, said it was a “huge relief” to know her son was over the worst of his treatment.
“There was one particular day when he was not doing well — we were all totally beyond overwhelmed,” she said.
“We had had enough and just weren’t seeing an end to the struggle.
“And the day after that, he completely turned around.”
“Now, we are waiting on his blood count to show some consistency.
“Once that happens, he will be discharged and further tests will be done as an outpatient.
“There’s still a journey ahead, but at least he will be with us.”
In Geraldton, Bjorn’s friends continue to support him.
Recently his classmates sent a package of notes and letters.
A family friend has created an online fundraiser which has received donations of more than $7000 of a targeted $10,000 to help with the Tranquim family’s living expenses in the USA.
After the school holidays, Strathalbyn Christian College head boy Angus Davidson will shave his head to raise funds in support of his good friend.
“Bjorn was feeling a bit self-conscious about having no hair (a side-effect of treatment), so I thought I’d show people having no hair shouldn’t make you feel self-conscious,” he said.
To learn more about the fundraiser, go to www.gofundme. com/blessingsforbjorn
