Kevin's Story

Fanconi Anemia Patient Shares his Success

Kevin Raasch's Care Partner would swing by his room on her lunch hour for a quick visit. On this particular day she noticed he was alone as his mom, Pat, had stepped down the hall for a quick shower. Kevin appeared to be sleeping and she didn't want to disturb him. As she left his room as quietly as she had entered, a weak voice called out, "Sue, is that you?"

Susan Schwarz started volunteering with Care Partners in 1990 for a change of pace. She has been amazed by Kevin's remarkable resiliency despite his extended period of treatment of Fanconi Anemia. "He was brave through some very tough times in his long fight toward regaining his health." Susan states.

Susan is employed at the University of Minnesota Medical School and had the advantage of being able to "pop in on a moment's notice to visit, do errands, give mom a break." Her lunch hours were often spent visiting Kevin and playing some very competitive Yahtzee. "Kevin is always game for a good time and we attended several Wild hockey games," she said. "I never once heard him say he was bored, even though he was confined to his room for months at a time."

"I know it is a cliché, but over the years, I have gained much more as a volunteer than I have contributed," she states. "All have taught me some core values which have helped me to grow. I am profoundly amazed that they have all demonstrated bravery, courage, and optimism, grace in adversity, and awesome faith that somehow things will work for the best."

Kevin's dad, Ron, credits his son's treatment and recovery with "a lot of praying, believing in the doctors and nurses, knowing they were here for us, and their friends." Despite the various issues related to his transplant, not being able to reach an immediate solution and with continual setbacks, Ron and Pat knew the doctors were doing everything possible. Ron credits everyone with their "open hands and open hearts for Kevin and his family."

Kevin easily recognizes what so many people did for him during his treatment. He admits that he didn't know what to expect when he arrived in October 2001, and thought that it would be "kinda hard." He explains that he had bad times when he didn't want to talk to anyone because he was angry. About his nurses, Gary, Mandy and Melissa, Kevin says: "They were all so good to me and I don't know if I would have made it without them."

Upon his arrival home, he immediately phoned his friends announcing, "I made it, guys." His friends are happy to have Kevin back. He was away for a long time; his many friends missed him and wondered if he would return. According to his dad, Kevin has had some difficulty adjusting to his return home and his transition back to a normal way of life.

Kevin is a 7th grader, active with his student council, manager of the girl's softball team and a great fan of the Minnesota Wild and Dallas Stars. He speaks proudly of his personalized hockey stick from Mike Modano. His summer plans are to play football and baseball.

Kevin's return visit to hospital was a series of great smiles, warm hugs and tears of joy from his nurses and staff members. "It was so nice seeing everyone and there were a lot of people who were glad to see me and who started to cry, it was hard, but it was a fun time," Kevin states rather seriously. His reflective appearance gives way to a broad smile, "now it's time for lunch, " he says.

by Alex Thwaites, Coordinator, Care Partners