by Alicia Massey, staff reporter
Seth Lane was born without an immune system. It is a genetic disease called Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID), also known as bubble boy disease.
According to Kids Health, Severe Combined Immunodeficiency can lead to reduced or malfunctioning T- and B-lymphocytes, the specialized white blood cells made in the bone marrow and the thymus gland to fight infection.
When the immune system doesn’t function properly, it can be difficult or impossible for a person to battle viruses, bacteria, and fungi that cause infections. There are 14 forms of SCID such as Leaky SCID and Variant SCID. The most common type is called Deficiency of the Common Gamma Chain of the T-cell Receptor (X-SCID). It is caused by a problem in a gene found on the X chromosome and affects only males.
Lane is five years old and has lived in hospitals all his life. He tried to go to school last year, but he got too sick so his parents had to take him out. Everything he touches needs to be sterilized with extremely hot water prior to him touching it.
Lane has to undergo a second bone marrow transplant because the Graft Versus Host Disease started to attack his bone marrow. His father will be the donor for this bone marrow transplant. The procedure is very risky due to Seth’s various health issues. He might not survive the next four months but if the procedure works, it will completely change his life.
“I think that this disease is terrible and that no one should have to live life that way,” junior Gabriella Martini said.
His parents have reached out to people all over the world to help encourage their son. They ask that people wear yellow (Seth’s favorite color) on March 27 and post pictures online, so they can print them and post them in Seth’s hospital room. To show Lane how much support he has, they will also post a map of the world in his room and put pins on the places where people are participating in wearing yellow.
“I think it’s a good idea for a good cause and it’s really sad but it’s good that people are standing up and supporting him,” eighth grader Serena Minca said.
Lane’s parents are trying to raise awareness for SCID and show their son that he is not the only one fighting.
People who would like to participate and support Seth can wear yellow on March 27, 2015 and post a picture to Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. Include the hashtags #wearyellowforseth and #scid. For more information, visit www.ourlittlehero.wordpress.com.
