December 29, 1991 28 pages Classifieds 986-6222

Office, Editorial 985-2131

SUNDAY

Carol Crenna helps
plan a winter escape

Fashion: 12

Distribution 9&6-1337

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NEW’ photo Cindy Goodenan

TATTOO ARTIST Rosalie of Mum's Tattoo (291 Pemberton, North Vancouver) adds to an ex-

Six-year-old Deep Cove bone marrow
recipient making remarkable progress

; THE BADGER family of Deep Cove received a Christmas
present they didn't dare to hope for: their s

daughter, Melissa, came hame on Ch
two-night visit after making a remarkable recovery from a
bone marrow transplant.
**She’s feeling wonderful,’ said
Melissa's father, Steve Badger.
She just sailed through. She's
had no problems with her kidne
and liver, it’s yust amaz
said.
Melissa reccived a

By Elizabeth Collings
News Reporter
Nov. 29 at

to halt the
disease

on
Hospital
a fatal genetic

transplant
Children’s
bone marrow onset of

ees ue

called metachromatic
leukodystrophy.

Her new bone marrow was
flown in from the United
Kingdom where it had been
tracted from a donor less than
hours before.

Without a bone marrow
transplant, the disease is fatal.

Badger said the family had been
told to expect a ‘doom and
gloom scenario’? after the
transplant: because Melissa could

er from graph host
(GVH) complications.

Instead Melissa has shown only
mild GVH symptoms such as a
rash and diarrhea.

But Badger said Melissa still has
several hurdles to overcome.

Melissa could get GVH within
the first month of the transplant.
As well, her old bone marrow,
which was missing the vital en-
zyme ara suiphatase A, could still
grow back

This spring, the Badgers will be
eareiully watching Melissa for 2
slight tremor of hand, clumsiness,
troubles with) her speech, or
awkwardness in her gait. These
are the symptoms they first

versus

isting tattoo on the shoulder of colleague Denise Watt. The tattoo's start at $25; Mum’s is
open from 1-5 p.m. daily or by appointment.

recognized in their seven-year-old
daughter Rachel just over a year
ago.

While doctors say the enzymes
may require nine months to a year
io build in the body in a sufficient
quantity to halt the disease,
Badger remains optimistic.

“E just hope with all my heart
that she will beat it,” he said.

Badger credits the Deep Cove
community for its support of the
fami A family friend estab-
lished the R & M Leukcdystrophy
Fund at the Royal Bunk in the
Dollar Shopping Centre.

Stong’s Market Ltd. raised
more than $3,000 for the famiiy
with a raffle and a bake sale.