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An Inspiration to All...

Sam Keller

When Donna Walsh of Catskill, NY, entered the nursing program at Columbia Greene Community College in January 2001, she never knew she’d find her greatest inspiration from her son Sam Keller. At that time he was a healthy, vibrant nine-year-old. Within six months, Sam was desperately ill with chronic ulcerative colitis and at the beginning of a two-and-a-half year ordeal.

Sam was diagnosed with chronic ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease, in July 2001, and his condition quickly deteriorated. He was treated with a mixture of medications, one side effect of which added 50 pounds to his young body. Even with medication, Sam remained mostly bedridden and unable to leave his home for extended periods due to persistent pain, diarrhea and rectal bleeding symptomatic of the disease. He had to be home schooled for two and a half years. He was frequently hospitalized. At times he cried to his mother, saying, "I wish I was dead." But he always persevered.

"For two and a half years, the family endured tremendous emotional stress," commented Donna. However, they always rallied around Sam. In 2002, the Make-A-Wish Foundation® granted a wish to Sam. He wanted to go to Walt Disney World, a place he remembers being happiest. Sam, his father, his mother and stepfather, and older brother Chris, made the trip together.

In May 2003, Sam underwent a total colectomy with ileostomy, which meant his entire large intestine was removed. Although the surgery was scheduled for May 5, on May 3 Sam was in such severe pain, Donna was forced to bring Sam into the hospital. He fainted in the lobby and need two units of blood to stabilize him enough to undergo the surgery. Throughout the following summer, Sam needed two additional reconstructive surgeries, during which he again needed blood.

Four months after his final surgery, Sam was back in school, playing with friends, even attending gym classes. Donna is more than thrilled, "I have my little boy back." She adds, "He has opened our eyes to the need for blood. His brother Chris now donates blood as does his father. I truly appreciate people who take time to give blood simply to help others." And for her, Sam has become her greatest inspiration. "I want to be the best nurse I can be – for him, he’s my inspiration."