25-7-Nathaniel-V

Nathaniel V.

Pennsylvania

7 Years Old

Diagnosis: Fanconi Anemia and Bone Marrow Failure

Theme - Star Wars

Favorite Colors: Blue, Yellow and Green

Due Date: October 15, 2025

Nathaniel's Journey

Our family’s story is unique, filled with both challenges and hope. Eight years ago, we became foster parents, and Nate was our very first placement. He arrived as a newborn who had been dropped off at a police station. Within hours of his placement, doctors discovered a critical heart defect, and at just three days old, Nate underwent open-heart surgery. His resilience was clear from the beginning, and over the years, he grew into a strong, joyful child who thrived in our care.

In December of last year, Nate began experiencing a series of illnesses that seemed unusually persistent and severe. He had walking pneumonia, then pneumonia, multiple viral infections, and eventually the flu. The flu hit him especially hard, and after weeks of recurring symptoms, we took him to the hospital. Routine bloodwork revealed dangerously low blood counts—so low that doctors initially suspected leukemia. He was quickly transferred to the hematology unit, where a bone marrow biopsy and urgent blood and platelet transfusions were performed. The biopsy was sent for genetic testing, and weeks later, we received a diagnosis we had never heard of before: Fanconi anemia. Nate was in bone marrow failure.

Since his diagnosis, Nate has been closely monitored with regular lab work and monthly transfusions. We’ve been fortunate that a 10 out of 10 matched bone marrow donor was identified, and his transplant is scheduled for July. While the transplant offers the best hope for stabilizing his condition, the journey ahead will be long and demanding. Fanconi anemia also carries a lifelong risk of cancer, which means continued vigilance even after the transplant. We maintain a relationship with Nate’s biological mother, who has no known family history of the disorder, but we lack information about his biological father. Despite the unknowns, we remain committed to advocating for Nate’s health and sharing his story in the hope that it may bring awareness and support to others walking a similar path.

Below is a list of patterns that have been chosen for this quilt.

Please check this list for duplications before signing up.

Link to sign-up form is at the bottom of the list.

Accepting 12 signups

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1. Laura P - FL - Darth Vader in Blue and Red -Darth Vader in Blue and Red

2. Carol H. - PA - Baby Yoda with rainbow colors around him https://www.etsy.com/listing/1198457339/pdf-cross-stitch-pattern-baby-yoda-star

3. Sandy S - MO - Darth Vader - free pattern from Mauricette

4. Jennifer P - NC - Millennium Falcon

5. Carolyn P - MA - Three droids https://www.etsy.com/listing/941296985/star-wars-cross-stitch-pattern-r2d2?ls=r&ref=internal_similar_listing_bot-1&content_source=f72fac788ae9708d909770d52f059f0e%253A4fc8f6a7b8d9fd6fe197409e971849a835808819&logging_key=f72fac788ae9708d909770d52f059f0e%3A4fc8f6a7b8d9fd6fe197409e971849a835808819&listing_id=941296985&listing_slug=star-wars-cross-stitch-pattern-r2d2

6. Nancy F - IL - R2D2 http://UN-JOUR-UNE-GRILLE.OVER-BLOG.COM

7. Karen F - SC - Yoda Cross Stitch https://www.etsy.com/listing/1785097244/baby-yoda-cross-stitch-pattern-space?ls=s&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=yoda+cross+stitch&ref=sr_gallery-1-2&sr_prefetch=1&pro=1&sts=1&dd=1&nob=1&content_source=11822f58-eddd-49ba-aea3-a7360a6163a0%253A24d9c6412a1e5bad74a6c9ec483f4c874720e7b5&organic_search_click=1&logging_key=11822f58-eddd-49ba-aea3-a7360a6163a0%3A24d9c6412a1e5bad74a6c9ec483f4c874720e7b5

8. Julie S - IL - TIE Fighter Star Wars - Fighter planes with planet behind them

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