No Result
View All Result
Reserve & National Guard
SUBSCRIBE FREE
No Result
View All Result
Reserve & National Guard
SUBSCRIBE FREE
Reserve & National Guard

Air Guard family seeks match for son with rare immune deficiency

Jessica Manfre
by Jessica Manfre
June 8, 2021
Baby Noah. Courtesy photo.

Air National Guard 2nd Lt. Amin Ansari and his wife, Jessica, are asking the military community for support to find a match for their infant son, Noah.  

Noah was born with Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome, a disease that only affects approximately 1 in a million. It also prevents his blood from clotting properly, leading to risk for severe bleeding and bruising. An injury or fall can be life-threatening for him. 

The diagnosis came just weeks after birth when Noah kept getting infections and large cysts or abscesses that doctors had to drain at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. 

“He had an infection when he was 5 weeks old and had to have surgery,” Jessica said.  

When the lab took his blood and reviewed the results, the doctors discovered the small platelets and quickly diagnosed Noah with Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome.  

The weeks leading up to the diagnosis were extremely challenging for both parents.  

“He was a very unhappy baby. We couldn’t figure out what was wrong; we thought he was colicky because he cried constantly,” Amin said. “We had no clue what was wrong with him but now looking back at pictures of him, he just looked miserable.” 

Part of the disorder also includes allergies. After his initial surgery, doctors realized that Noah was allergic to the protein in milk which is found in most formulas.  

“We got him on the right formula and he turned a corner. He became a very happy baby,” Amin said.  

Amin, who previously served in the Navy, has spent the majority of his military career in the medical field and had never heard of the disorder before Noah’s diagnosis. He’s currently a Medical Plans Officer for a Homeland Response team. 

“We go wherever we are needed and provide medical care,” he shared. 

Air National Guard 2nd Lt. Amin Ansari, his wife, Jessica, and their two children. Courtesy photo.

Before being airman, Amin was a sailor.  

“I enlisted in the Navy in August of 2001. I was in boot camp when 9/11 happened and I thought it was a training drill,” Amin said. “Originally I was a cop in the Navy and did my four years and got out. I did some soul searching and it drove me to learn more about the healthcare field. I did what I knew best thinking the military would teach me everything I needed to know.” 

That led to joining the Air National Guard as an Aerospace Medical Technician. After deploying to Iraq and his subsequent return home, he wanted to go full-time. Amin took all the assignments he could, eventually becoming a medic and respiratory therapist. Right before discovering Noah’s diagnosis, he commissioned as a medical officer. He said he is thankful for his medical background as the family navigates advocating for Noah.  

Doctors initially pushed to do a bone marrow transplant when Noah was 6 months old. But as he continued to thrive and do better, they decided to wait.  

“We already feel so grateful that we’ve been given the gift of time when we originally didn’t think that was going to be the case for him,” Jessica said.   

Due to the severity of his condition, doctors want to move forward with a bone marrow transplant no later than the spring of 2022. To ensure success of the transplant, Noah’s family is seeking a perfect match in order to avoid possible rejection. This where the family is hoping to rally the military community for support.  

Courtesy photo.

Noah is facing unique challenges to finding a perfect match due to his ethnicity.  

“Given that Noah is biracial, his chances of finding a perfect match drop significantly,” Jessica said. “Our hope is that we can bring some diversity to the registry.” 

Amin echoed that sentiment and highlighted the vital need for awareness.  

“To show how crazy this is, he has some potential matches. But they are in Germany and Poland. It’s mind blowing considering everyone we have here in this country but no one knows about it,” he said. “This is something I am hoping we can change. If there is an emergency situation with my son and the nearest match is that far away, how many things can go wrong in that time? It’s scary to think about.” 

Those who are able to give bone marrow may experience back pain, headaches, or bruising. The bone marrow donation process is much more difficult on the recipient than the donor because of the need to essentially remove the immune system. The chance of rejection is also a risk. But doing nothing isn’t an option for Noah or other children waiting for a match.  

“We as parents just want to give Noah the chance to be a thriving toddler, where we don’t have to worry if he scrapes his knee,” Jessica said. Amin agreed, saying “He has a great chance of just getting to be a little boy.” 

Registering with Be The Match is simple and it’s free if you are between the ages of 18-44 years old. Individuals can simply text SAVENOAH to 61474 or register online. Be The Match will mail a cheek swab kit to your home, with no cost to you. 

Read comments
Tags: 2nd Lt. Amin AnsariAerospace Medical TechnicianAir National GuardBe The Matchrare immune deficiencyWiskott-Aldrich Syndrome
Jessica Manfre

Jessica Manfre

Jessica Manfre, LMSW is an author and freelance writer for multiple publications. She is a licensed social worker, earning her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Central Florida in 2020. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Northwestern State University. Jessica is the co-founder and CFO of Inspire Up, a 501c3 nonprofit promoting global generosity and kindness through education, empowerment, and community building. She is the spouse of an active-duty Coast Guardsman and mother of two. When she isn’t working, you can find her reading a good book and drinking too much coffee.

Related Posts

Our Military Kids shines light on ‘hidden helpers’ with annual contest

by Kari Williams
1 week ago
0
Our Military Kids

When reviewing nominations for the Our Military Kids Courageous Kids contest in 2022, one child’s story spurred the creation of...

Read more

8 ways to spend spring break with young children

by Emily Solberg
1 week ago
0

The groundhog might have seen his shadow this year, but spring break is right around the corner for many American...

Read more

National Guard, reserve veterans among IAVA’s advocacy all-stars

by AmeriForce Staff
3 weeks ago
0
IAVA

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America's (IAVA) All-Star Advocacy Fly-In on Capitol Hill included several reserve component veterans.

Read more

Military services will amend COVID vaccine-refuser records so they aren’t passed over for promotions

by Military.com
4 weeks ago
0
Vaccine

All military services are reworking their policies to adjust separation & promotion records for those who refused the COVID-19 vaccine.

Read more

‘When they came home they were on their own’ — National Guard grapples with suicide rate

by War Horse News
2 months ago
0
Navy Cmdr. Michael Yesunas, a resident of Virginia Beach, Virginia, salutes Navy Cmdr. Scott Murdock of Lake Stevens, Washington, signifying his assumption of command duties during the change of command ceremony at Forward Operating Base Wright on March 13, 2012. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Christopher Marasky

As many as three dozen Massachusetts National Guard soldiers and airmen have died by suicide since the start of the...

Read more

Hokanson: Health care access key to Guard readiness, retention

by Bianca Strzalkowski
2 months ago
0
Hokanson

Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau, said health care access for guardsmen is his highest priority in...

Read more

Ads

Let's get social

The RNG Drill

News delivered directly to your inbox

Let's connect!

ABOUT US

  • OUR STORY
  • OUR TEAM
  • OUR WRITERS

MAGAZINE

  • GET PRINT
  • GET DIGITAL
  • GET THE NEWSLETTER

ADVERTISE

  • GET OUR MEDIA KIT
  • PUBLISHER’S STATEMENT

SUBMISSIONS

  • PITCH US
  • SUBMIT YOUR STORY

Never miss out on the latest stories.

© 2021 Reserve & National Guard by AmeriForce. Privacy Policy | Terms | Site by Swiss Commerce

Thank you for your interest in The Reserve & National Guard Magazine!

Thank you for your interest in The Reserve & National Guard Magazine!

No Result
View All Result
  • NEWS
  • YOUR CAREER
    • UNIT TRAINING
    • DEPLOYMENT
    • PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
    • RECRUITING & RETENTION
    • ENTREPRENEUR
    • TRANSITION
  • EDUCATION
  • MILITARY LIFE
    • MILITARY SPOUSES
    • MILITARY KIDS
    • PARENTING
  • OFF DUTY
    • ENTERTAINMENT
    • TRAVEL
  • HEALTH
    • FITNESS
    • MEDICINE
    • MENTAL HEALTH
  • SPORTS
  • OPINION
  • HISTORY
  • MONEY
    • PERSONAL FINANCE
    • BENEFITS
  • GET THE MAGAZINE
    • PRINT MAGAZINES
    • DIGITAL MAGAZINES
    • GET THE NEWSLETTER
  • ABOUT US
    • MEET OUR TEAM
    • OUR AUTHORS
    • ADVERTISE WITH US
    • SUBMIT YOUR STORY
    • PITCH US
    • CONTACT

© 2022 Reserve & National Guard by AmeriForce. Site by SCBW

Skip to toolbar
  • About WordPress
    • WordPress.org
    • Documentation
    • Support
    • Feedback
  • AMP
    • View AMP version