Honorees

Our Honored Hero

Macy Heckman

My wife Lori and I were devastated to learn in January 2012 that our daughter Macy was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis after just turning 5 years old.  She had just experienced her first flare up that went into remission on its own and then she became sick at the end of February with a major complication of ulcerative colitis called toxic megacolon that came close to taking her life.

Macy’s colon had come close to rupturing and she was within hours of going to surgery to remove her colon.  One of her doctors ordered a NG-tube inserted down her throat into her stomach to suck out the “gunk” that was causing the gas to build in her colon.  We think this saved her life. Macy endured more pain than most kids will ever endure during their childhood. After multiple x-rays, CT scans, a central line insertion (PICC), an NG-tube inserted up her nose and down her throat, numerous needle pokes for blood, bags and bags and bags of fluids/antibiotics, and a blood transfusion, our stay of 10 days at Doernbecher’s Children’s hospital was over.

Our little girl will now be on medication for the rest of her life and will have to deal with flare ups but she is one tough cookie and will not let this slow her down!  She did not cry during the numerous blood draws and has learned to swallow all her pills even though some taste just downright nasty.

In the spring, she spent another three weeks in the hospital with severe flare-ups that cause blood loss and inflammation of her colon.  She currently is on the last line of medicines available to fight this disease after which there is nothing more that can be done except to remove sections or the entire colon if the disease persists actively.  Macy has experience the full realm of medicines available which have wreaked havoc on her little body.

 We participate in Team Challenge to support her and for the hope that the money raised will support research so a cure can be found while she is still young and will not have to endure this condition her entire life. Lori, Macy and I are forever grateful for your support.

With our sincere thanks,
Jon and Lori Heckman