Casey’s Fund: The Casey Fero ME/CFS Tissue and Blood Bank

Diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) at age 9, Casey Fero’s short life was one plagued with headaches, cognitive difficulties, muscle weakness, exhaustion, and other problems associated with that condition. Despite such struggles, his mother — Pat Fero, who was diagnosed with CFS prior to Casey’s birth and is President of the Wisconsin CFS Association — recently told the CFSAC (The Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Advisory Committee of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) that Casey had just completed two years of community college, had a summer job, and was looking forward to beginning courses at the University of Wisconsin. Sadly, that was not to be.

The ME/CFS/FMS www.Co-Cure.org Daily Digest reports that “[o]n July 4, 2005, sometime between 2:30 am when his mother kissed him good night, and 6:30 am when his father came downstairs, Casey Fero died in his sleep.

His heart simply stopped.” In her statement, Casey’s mother said, “Casey had bull dog determination. In his mind, he had overcome all illness and if he just worked harder he could do anything…. Interesting, how he died so well, with so much enthusiasm to live.”

In memory of Casey Fero, his family, the Wisconsin Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Association, Inc., and Mothers against Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, Inc. (MAME) have established the Casey Fero ME/CFS Tissue and Blood Bank.

Contributions to Casey’s Fund are tax deductible through the Wisconsin CFS Association, Federal ID number 39 -1614649. To support this effort, indicate CASEY’S FUND on your check and send it to:

Wisconsin CFS Association

747 Lois Drive

Sun Prairie, WI 53590

Donations are also accepted online at the Wisconsin Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Association Web site.

Brochure for the Casey Fero ME/CFS Tissue and Blood Bank (PDF)

As of September 8th, 2005, this additional information was confirmed by the Fero’s:

The University of Wisconsin forensic pathologist found that our son Casey died of myocarditis, that is, he had heart damage, inflammation and the tissue was full of viral infection. Casey also had old fibrosis, indicating that the viral infection was not of a new onset. The pathologist was “shocked” at this finding.  I am not shocked considering Casey’s long standing CFS and the research in this area.

My inability to do anything to have helped my son is almost

intolerable.  BUT… we loved him, taught him to love and to learn and to question. Casey had bull dog determination. In his mind, he had overcome all illness and if he just worked harder he could do anything. Interesting, how he died so well, with so much enthusiasm to live.

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