Who is Sammy Zeltser?
To many friends who frequent the Zeltsers' hospitable home, introducing Sammy, the kindest and the wittiest kid, would be superfluous. Knowing that thousands of concerned people will visit this website and will want to help Zeltser family, we thought it was important that you all "meet" our hero. He is a hero for stoically dealing with and adjusting to his new debilitating condition, for having overcome an often-lethal bone marrow transplant and for giving warmth and hope to distraught family.
Please meet our precious Sammy before ALD diagnosis, prior to his Bone Marrow Transplant, and now.
Before the symptoms developed
Sammy was born a perfectly healthy kid 7 years ago to a Russian immigrant parents Alex and Gelena. He is the youngest child and has two loving sisters, Eva and Marina and a big brother, Michael.
Known for his sharp tongue and a witty mind, he's always kept his teachers and parents on the tip of their toes. Sammy is an excellent reader and speller, very curious, loves swimming, playing Wii, and going to Sunday school learning Hebrew and about Jewish traditions. Read more...
Prior to Bone Marrow Transplant
Although Sammy was still very loving and kind, it was increasingly difficult for him to express it verbally. His speech became somewhat slurred and voice very quiet. Instead of talking, he would expresses himself by using his finger to draw images or letters in the air. He also liked to touch-feel people to give positive energy.
Stiffness in his legs made it more difficult for him to walk without having to lean on someone and limping. It seems that he continuously was feeling off-balance: he’d prefer to sit or lay on the floor and when he’d stand; he’d either grasp for the air with his hands or would hold on to people or subjects to stay erect. It was even difficult for him to sit in a chair for a short time - he would slide down. Read more...
Post Transplant Sammy
Presented with no other choice by the Doctors, the Zeltsers have agreed to grasp to the only known possibility, however indefinite, Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, known commonly as a Bone Marrow Transplant. Transplant may alter the prognosis of ALD but there are no guarantees of the ultimate success. Even after successful transplant, patient usually loses some additional brain functions during adaptation.
After testing the whole family, the lab results from Children's Memorial Hospital confirmed that Sammy’s younger sister, Eva, was a perfect match for Sammy. A fortunate coincidence! Read more...
What Now?
Sammy had made huge progress from the time he first returned to his home. He is now able to make sounds, follow simple instructions, and independently sit vertically in his wheelchair. Very encouraging, his witty smile and mischief are back, attention span is much longer, and yes, Sammy is no longer indifferent about what food he is getting. The stem cell transplant team is extremely impressed by Sammy’s physical improvements and stamina, despite the very discouraging July 2008 MRI results.
Since the original MRI procedure that first gave a clue to Sammy’s condition, there were two subsequent MRI scans performed – on April 14, 2008 and on July 14, 2008. The results are conflicting and confusing. The April results showed that virtually no additional demyelination took place, compared with the original, January MRI. This suggested to the hopeful doctors and family that the transplant is working super fast and started producing the much needed enzymes that had been missing. The most recent MRI was much more disappointing. It showed further demyelination. Read more...
We ask every concerned person to BELIEVE in our success and MIRACLE will happen.
God Bless You and your family!
- Sammy Zeltser