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Kansas girl to save brother's life with transplant

by Sia Nyorkor

KWCH 12 Eyewitness News

9:36 PM CST, February 17, 2013

(McPherson, Kan.)

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A McPherson boy is getting the gift of life. 

7-year-old Kaiden Schroeder has been fighting leukemia for most of his life.

Now he's about to get help from his 4-year-old sister, Ashlyn.

For the first time in a long time, the Schroeder family stepped outside to enjoy the fresh air.

Sunday is the family's last night together in McPherson.  They are packing up to head to Kansas City where  Kaiden will have a bone marrow transplant.  His sister Ashlyn is his donor.

Kaiden is too young to fully know what his sister is doing for him but simply says he is thankful.

"It makes me feel happy," he says smiling.

Kaiden has battled leukemia for almost four years with chemotherapy and various treatments.

"It's been hard seeing my son go through this and having to deal with chemo, the total body radiation he's gonna have to go through and just knowing that I can't really do anything for him except pray," says Chris Schroeder, Kaiden's father.

Kaiden has relapsed twice but the family hopes this time is the right time.

"We're very nervous about the whole process. There's just a lot that can happen. Good and bad but the good outweighs the bad," says Jenny Schroeder, Kaiden's mom.

Local churches and organizations have held fundraisers to contribute to Kaiden's medical bills. The most recent gift came in the form of 2 iPads so that the family can Skype. Dad and Ashlyn will stay in McPherson. Mom, Kaiden and baby Bryson will relocate to Kansas City while Kaiden is in the hospital.  This could be for more than 3 months.

"We just do it for Kaiden. Everybody says, well how are you so strong? It's the only choice we have, to be strong, to show Kaiden that it's okay and that we'll get through it," says Jenny.

Kaiden says he owes his sister, big time.

"Do you promise to make her bed for at least a month?" asks Eyewitness News reporter Sia Nyorkor.


"Yes," says Kaiden laughing.

For the family that calls itself Kaiden's Krusaders, the fight goes on.

Kaiden's Krusaders t-shirts are on sale at Stewart's Sports in McPherson.

All of the proceeds will go to fund Kaiden's medical bills.

 

 

 

4-year-old Kansas girl to save brother's life with bone marrow transplant