 "Photo: photos courtesy of www.ahomerun4elijah.com")
In kindergarten, children learn how to share their snacks, build imaginary cities with blocks, and color inside of the lines. For Elijah Norbert, the year of kindergarten was marked by the discovery of a new word: leukemia.
His parents, Stephen Norbert, BC '84, and Kim Norbert, noticed their son suffering from pain in his legs and swollen glands. Despite visits to the pediatrician, his condition did not improve. On the same day airplanes were used to attack New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C., the Norberts were hit with a diagnosis naming Elijah a leukemia patient. Leukemia is the cancer of blood-forming tissue such as bone marrow.
The sickness he contracted was treatable, but would require two years of treatment. Elijah attended school on and off for those two years. He stopped attending classes in April 2003 and started home-schooling by a tutor to prevent contracting colds and illnesses from other students.
His treatments ended in November 2003 after receiving chemotherapy, daily blood tests, and medicinal therapies for two full years. By Thanksgiving, Elijah and his family were happy to learn that he went into remission, said Ellen Westley, Elijah's cousin and A&S '08.
Elijah relapsed in April and had to receive a bone marrow transplant. In June, at the Children's Hospital Boston, he received a bone marrow transplant from his sister Abby, who was 11 years old at the time.
Elijah, a huge fan of the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots, received a visit from Jason Varitek, catcher for the Boston Red Sox while recovering from the transplant.
"Elijah's a big baseball fan," said Westley. "He used to play baseball."
Other members of the team sent him autographs while he was recovering from the operation.
Four months later, Elijah relapsed again. Doctors said that he would need another donor who is unrelated to him since no other family members are a match. Elijah is currently being treated at Maine Medical Center at the Maine Children's Cancer Clinic. He is receiving chemotherapy in order to get him the point of remission so he can receive a bone marrow transplant. Although he makes weekly visits to the hospital, his parents try to keep him at home as much as possible.
While at home, Elijah likes to spend time with family. Because his immune system is so weak, however, he cannot spend too much time around his cousins. He enjoys spending time outdoors and playing Wiffle ball with his dad. Elijah loves videogames, watching DVDs, reading, and built a snow fort after this season's blizzard.
His family admires Elijah for his courageous spirit and positive attitude.
"He has a very positive attitude, doesn't complain, and still tries to be happy around family and friends," said Westley. "He doesn't want people to feel sorry for him. He doesn't like to talk about being sick."
Paula Norbert, Elijah's aunt and former chaplain for Campus Ministry, related a story to The Heights about Elijah that showed his spirit. After falling on his head when he was three years old, he told Norbert how he was sorry for the other children who were sick. Norbert said that he is very enlightened, "a little Buddha," and hopes for a cure and an end to his suffering.
"We're praying for a miracle," she said. "Our hopes for Elijah are that he can return to good health. He is such a beautiful kid."
Elijah's family decided to organize a drive at Boston College because of their intimate association with the University and recognition of the generosity and kindheartedness of the BC population. Westley is enthusiastic about the chances of finding a potential donor, not only for Elijah, but for others who are in need of a bone marrow transplant.
"We decided to go to Boston College because we have strong ties with the BC community," said Westley. "Because we have a personal connection to BC, we want to make it happen there. BC students tend to be very generous and service-oriented, so we knew that students would be receptive."
Westley reported that 35 to 45 people have registered to be tested. She remains positive in hoping for more people to show up to donate. "I'm hoping double that number will show up. I'm hoping for a big turnout," she said.
The drive will take place today in Gasson 100 from 2-7 p.m. and is sponsored by the Emerging Leadership Program. Eligible bone marrow donors are people from 18-60 years of age and who are in good general health.
Editor's Note: The Heights will be collecting new toys, books, and movies this week to be donated to Elijah Norbert.
Members of the Boston College community are encouraged to bring their donations to McElroy 112 or 113 starting today, between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. The newspaper will collect items until Friday evening.
Readers may contact Editor-in-Chief Ryan Heffernan at (617) 552-2223 for more information.
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