ATLANTA — A 7-year-old boy born with sickle cell anemia is recovering after a bone marrow transplant and hopes to get back home and return to school.
Levi Johnson has dealt with pain, fatigue, and serious health challenges his whole life.
His father, Brandon Johnson, said the family expected to manage sickle cell as Levi grew up.
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“We were prepared to just live life with sickle cell and just manage it as we had to. So, when this opportunity came about, we were just grateful,” Brandon Johnson said.
Doctors at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta recommended a bone marrow transplant, and Levi’s 8-year-old brother Bryce was a perfect match.
“It’s just been a whirlwind of ‘take it a day at a time,’” Brandon Johnson said.
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At first, the family was separated while Levi recovered, but they later stayed together in a family suite at Ronald McDonald House in Brookhaven.
Brandon Johnson said the stay helped the family rebuild some normalcy from before the transplant.
“We were able to join together and just kind of rebuild our normalcy of pre-transplant life,” he said.
Laura Hardy, senior director of philanthropy at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, said Ronald McDonald House Atlanta started the idea of transplant suites.
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Hardy said the house has 18 transplant suites with a special air filter, a kitchen and private laundry.
“We know that children heal better and faster when they’re surrounded by loving family,” Hardy said.
Brandon Johnson said the space has helped Levi isolate when needed and also come out and play.
Levi is still recovering and wants to get approved to go back to school and be with his best friend and brother.
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