Since Aplastic Anemia is the Cause that started my Awareness Campaign, Little Inspirations has recently befriended the C.Cody Mitro Foundation to help spread awareness for Aplastic Anemia.  We have yet to work out the full details of our friendship, but am adding this page to show some support and help them gain some exposure and to spread awareness for this Cause.

The Christopher Cody Mitro Foundation was developed in the memory of Christopher Cody Mitro, who was diagnosed with very severe Aplastic Anemia and who passed away from complications from a stem cell transplant. 

Aplastic Anemia is a rare bone marrow disorder and is life-threatening. Some of the causes have been linked to insecticides, pesticides, radiation or viruses. The money collected from Cody's foundation go towards helping to build awareness and educate the community about Aplastic Anemia, while helping to support families dealing with this disorder. 

For more information on Cody's Foundation, or to gain insight on Aplastic Anemia, please visit their website at http://www.codymitro.org 

Note: (Most of the information contained on this page has been paraphrased or directly copied from the C.Cody Mitro Foundation page) 

About Aplastic Anemia: 

Aplastic Anemia is a disorder in which the bone marrow fails to make enough blood cells. The bone marrow is the soft, inner part of bones where the 3 types of blood cells are made:

* Red blood cells, which carry oxygen to the tissues from the lungs
* White blood cells, which fight infection
* Platelets, which seal damaged blood vessels to prevent bleeding.  These cells are made by blood-forming stem cells in the bone marrow. 

In Aplastic Anemia, the stem cells are damaged and there are very few of them. As a result, too few blood cells are produced. In most cases of Aplastic Anemia, all 3 types of blood cells are low (which is called pancytopenia). Rarely, just one of the cell lines, such as red cells, white cells, or platelets, is abnormal.

Aplastic Anemia is not a type of cancer but may be associated with certain cancers (especially those affecting the bone marrow, such as leukemia) or cancer treatments. A small number of patients with Aplastic Anemia may develop leukemia.

Aplastic Anemia can be inherited or acquired. Acquired Aplastic Anemia is much more common than the inherited type.