State Senator Linda R. Greenstein recently took action to bring awareness to Evans Syndrome, an illness suffered by three-year-old Nico McLaughlin from Robbinsville.
Evans Syndrome is a rare autoimmune disorder that destroys the body’s red and white blood cells and platelets, making patients susceptible to illness and bleeding. Symptoms of Evans Syndrome are similar in nature to leukemia and lymphoma. While there is no cure for Evans Syndrome and therapies are often specific to the individual, many patients may have blood transfusions and stem cell implants to manage the disease. With proper treatment, many individuals suffering from Evans Syndrome go through periods of long remission.
In honor of McLaughlin, Greenstein introduced a resolution that would mark September 21 of each year as Evans Syndrome Day.
McLaughlin, who was diagnosed with Evans Syndrome in May, goes to the New Jersey Cancer Center in New Brunswick for treatment. It was there that he began using the hospital’s “prize box” to stay entertained during his treatments. The “prize box” should be filled with new, unwrapped toys for kids to play with, but due to its popularity, often remains empty.
McLaughlin and his mother, Karen, created “Toys for Nico” to collect toys to replenish the box to ensure that all the kids at the New Jersey Cancer Center have a toy to play with and take home after their treatments.
Senator Greenstein will be collecting new and unwrapped toys in her district office, located at 1249 South River Rd., Suite 105 in Cranbury for “Toys for Nico.” To stop the spread of germs to sick patients, only new toys should be donated.The drive will continue through March 31.
