Brother rescues brother with bone marrow transplant

Travis Washington is sickle-cell free after doctors performed a bone marrow transplant in Miami last month. His brother, Trevis, was the donor.

Trevis Washington, left, kneels next to brother Travis, for whom he donated bone marrow. Travis is now well on the way to recovery, doctors say.

C.W. GRIFFIN / MIAMI HERALD STAFF

BY TOLUSE OLORUNNIPA

tolorunnipa@MiamiHerald.com

As a child, Trevis Washington had to watch helplessly as his big brother Travis battled sickle cell anemia -- a disease that caused frequent pain, two strokes and a rare brain disorder.

When Trevis learned that of the five brothers and possible donors he was the one possible match for a bone marrow transplant that could cure Travis' sickle cell disease, he was ecstatic.

``I was very excited just to give him a new chance,'' said 17-year-old Trevis (pronounced Tray-vis). ``I didn't want him to have to go through that.''

After spending most of his 18 years juggling hospital visits, monthly blood transfusions and physical therapy, Travis underwent a bone marrow transplant at Holtz Children's Hospital at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center in Miami last month.

Monday, September 7, 2009