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January 2, 2003 Chris left us last evening to be with our Father in
Heaven. He was with family. Love, Mike, Mary, Brian &
Travis Holt
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This story from
StatesmanJournal.com
has been sent to you by Mary Holt (michael.e.holt@att.net).
Let Chris Holt inspire you to donate tissue
Thousands need bone-marrow transplants for
a chance to live.
January 6, 2003
The story can be found at
http://news.statesmanjournal.com/article.cfm?i=54457.
Copyright 2003
Statesman Journal,
Salem, Oregon.
To purchase a back issue (available 30 days after print date), call
(503) 399-6769 or go to the
StatesmanJournal.com Store.
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Let Chris Holt inspire you to
donate tissue
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To be a donor, you must be 18 to 60 years old and in good
health. Staff from the Oregon Donor Center will share
information about the
procedure, then you’ll fill out a questionnaire, sign a consent
form and give a blood sample. For many volunteers, that’s as far
as it goes.
If
you’re identified as a potential match for a patient, you’ll be
asked to give another blood sample. If you are indeed a match,
you’ll learn more about the specific process that’s needed —
bone marrow or stem-cell donation — and the possible side
effects. Then you may decide whether to proceed.
Donating bone marrow involves a hospital stay of several hours
or overnight. While the donor is under anesthesia, cells are
extracted from the pelvic bone with a needle. Most donors have
some bone pain and aching for several days or weeks afterward.
Donating stem cells is similar to donating platelets; blood is
removed through a needle in one arm, passed through a machine,
and returned through the other arm. The procedure takes about
four hours over one or two days. Afterward, donors may feel like
they have the flu.
Both procedures involve more time and discomfort than ordinary
blood donations. But if you’re matched with a recipient, you
know you are that person’s best hope for life.
Ten-year-old Brian Holt realized that there were no guarantees,
but he didn’t hesitate to step up as a donor for his brother.
Thousands of other people’s brothers, sisters, sons and
daughters hope you’ll consider doing the same for them. |
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As his family and friends grieve, they can
take some comfort in knowing that Chris had thebest weapon
available in that fight — a stem-cell transplant from his
younger brother, Brian.
Since Chris’ death, a number of people have asked his family how
to become bone-marrow donors. An outpouring of applications
would be a wonderful memorial to this Keizer youth.
Each year, about 16,000 Americans get leukemia, aplastic anemia
and other life-threatening blood diseases. For many, a bone
marrow transplant or a related procedure involving donated stem
cells is their best hope.
About 30 percent of people who need bone marrow transplants can
find a matching donor in their family. The rest must hope that
some unrelated donor has signed up through the national
registry.
Because different tissue types are found in different races and
ethnic groups, minority donors are especially needed. The odds
of matching a patient with a donor range from one in 100 to one
in 1 million. |
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Christopher
"Chris" Holt |
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May 31, 1989 - January 1,
2003
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KEIZER - Visitation: 2-8 p.m. Monday, January 6
and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, January 7 at Keizer Funeral
Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial: 10 a.m. Wednesday,
January 8 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Salem.
- Statesman Journal Friday January
3, 2003-
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This story from
StatesmanJournal.com has been sent to you by Mary Holt (michael.e.holt@att.net).
Salem teen succumbs to leukemia
Family members and his friends remember a smart, caring boy.
CARA ROBERTS MUREZ, Statesman Journal
January 3, 2003
The story can be found at
http://news.statesmanjournal.com/article.cfm?i=54334.
Salem
teen succumbs to leukemia
TIM
LaBARGE / Statesman Journal file
Chris Holt (left), 13,
who was diagnosed with an aggressive form of
leukemia in June, died Jan. 1. His brother
Brian, 10, donated stem cells for a transplant
in September.
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Family members and his
friends remember a smart, caring boy.
CARA ROBERTS MUREZ
Statesman Journal
January 3, 2003
KEIZER — Chris Holt was a natural
athlete who loved just about any sport he tried.
Together, he and his close-knit family spent almost
seven months waging a battle against a competitor
they all thought they could beat.
Chris, 13, died Wednesday at Doernbecher Children’s
Hospital in Portland from complications of leukemia.
His parents, Michael and Mary Holt, will remember
his sense of humor and how he taught his little
brother Travis, 4, silly sayings. His friends will
remember his prowess on sports courts and fields.
His whole family will remember his kindness, upbeat
attitude and his fight for life.
Chris was smart, kind to the small children in his
mom’s day care, well-liked by kids his age and quite
tidy for a 13-year-old, Mary Holt said Thursday.
“We’re trying to remember the happy times, and it’s
easy to do because there were a lot,” she said.
Chris was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic
leukemia in June. After a summer of chemotherapy,
radiation and a cancer drug, his younger brother
Brian, 10, gave his stem cells in a bone marrow
transplant to try to save his brother’s life.
Everything seemed to be going great. Brian was a
perfect match. Despite some headaches, Chris felt
well. The Keizer eighth-grader did not get to join
his class this year, but had started practicing
part-time with his Keizer Celts basketball
tournament team.
“He was doing fantastic. He was breaking all their
records and feeling good,” Mary said. “We thought
we’d breeze through this pretty easy.”
But a routine checkup on Dec. 12 — one week short of
the 100-day initial success period — showed that the
leukemia was back. Chris was checked into the
hospital immediately.
“The leukemia just sort of came roaring back in
December,” said Dr. Stacy Nicholson, the pediatric
oncologist who treated Chris.
More than 80 percent of children with leukemia can
now be cured, according to the National Child Cancer
Foundation. Still, every year more than 11,000 young
people are diagnosed with cancer and about 2,300
children and teen-agers die from the disease.
Chris was in a high-risk group, but his survival
chances were boosted 50 percent with chemotherapy
and the transplant, Nicholson said. Before he died,
doctors were seeking another transplant donor.
One good thing that has come from Chris’ illness is
the tremendous outreach from the community, Mary
said. People have asked the family for information
to put themselves on a bone marrow donor list.
Chris’ friends have been good to him. Bryce
Bohlander, a UCLA football player and McNary High
School graduate, met with Chris and dedicated a game
to the boy. The Make-a-Wish Foundation fulfilled
Chris’ dream of having a hot tub, which was
installed Dec. 23.
Although he came home from the hospital for a brief
holiday visit, Chris never really recovered. He got
to stick his fingers in the hot tub water, but
didn’t get the chance to do more.
He returned to the hospital Christmas Day. He had an
infection in his blood and began having trouble
breathing. He was put on a ventilator and sedated to
ease the pain. He couldn’t catch a break, Mary Holt
said, and they let him go peacefully in the early
morning of Jan. 1.
“It’s really hard on us,” Mary said, “but we know
that he’s in a better place and he’s no longer in
pain.”
Cara
Roberts Murez can be reached at (503) 399-6750. |
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Copyright 2003
Statesman Journal, Salem, Oregon.
To purchase a back issue (available 30 days after print date), call
(503) 399-6769 or go to the
StatesmanJournal.com Store.
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Christopher ‘Chris’
Holt
May 31, 1989 - January 01, 2003
KEIZER - Chris, 13, lost the battle
with leukemia, his family by his side, on Jan. 1, 2003.
Chris was born in Salem and attended Whiteaker Middle
School. He was active in all sports and adventurous, he was
never afraid to take on new challenges. Chris loved video
games and excelled at games on his X-Box which was a special
gift from his baseball teammates. Chris also enjoyed many
family and friend activities, especially involving food. He
was a member of St. Edwards Catholic Church in Keizer.
Chris is survived by his parents, Michael and Mary Holt of
Keizer; brothers Brian and Travis of Keizer; grandparents,
Roy and Marge Holt of Keizer, and Art and Winnie Fromherz of
Aumsville; great grandmother, Mary Holt of Mt. Angel; aunts
and uncles, Sherie and Scott Farrell of Keizer, Sue Holt and
Dana Quall of Keizer, Daniel Fromherz, Leonard and Charlotte
Fromherz, Jane and Darrel Tietze, Ernie Fromherz, Esther
Fromherz, LouAnn Silbernagel, Marty and Mark Northup, Art
and Terri Fromherz, and Judy Fromherz; special cousins,
Justin and Jessica Farrell; and many other relatives and
friends.
Visitation will be 2 - 8 p.m. Mon., Jan. 6 and 9 a.m. - 5
p.m. Tue., Jan. 7 at Keizer Funeral Chapel. Services will be
at 10 a.m. Wed., Jan. 8 at St. Joseph Catholic Church,
Salem. Interment at Belcrest Memorial Park. Memorial
contributions may be made to Washington Mutual in the name
of Rhonda Brattain, FBO Chris Holt or to Doernbecher’s.
The obituary can be
found at
http://online.statesmanjournal.com/obituaries/obituary.cfm?i=14827.
Copyright 2003
Statesman Journal,
Salem, Oregon.
To purchase a back issue (available 30 days after print
date), call (503) 399-6769 or go to the
StatesmanJournal.com Store.
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Attention
Keizer Residents
One of our own beloved families has just been given some
heartbreaking news. Chris Holt, the 13 year old son of
Mike and Mary Holt has just been diagnosed with leukemia.
The family has been highly involved in all aspects of sports
(football, basketball and baseball) in Keizer for many years, as
well as many church and community functions. Chris is just
finishing the 7th grade at Whitaker Middle School. This
was a sudden illness. He is undergoing treatment at
Doernbecker Children's Hospital in Portland. Many in the
community have expressed their desire to help in any way.
At this time the, what the family needs most is your prayers.
Mike and Mary will be making many trips back and forth between
Portland and Salem so they can spend time with their other young
children and try to make life as normal as possible for them.
An account has been set up at Washington Mutual in Keizer
for the benefit of Chris Holt. This is to help with
expenses during their time of need. If you would like to
contribute you may make a deposit at any Washington Mutual.
The account is set up in the name of Rhonda Brittain FBO (for
benefit of) Chris Holt. If you have any questions or words
you would like to pass on to the family you may contact Rhonda
Brittain at 503-463-1630.
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Hi Connie hope all is great. My computer was
down for a long time and I have just gotten it going again. Chris has been
doing great. He was at the hospital a little under 4 weeks and then we had
to stay in Portland at a hotel for 2 weeks. His Dr. would not let us stay
at anyone house. We had a lot of offers, but they would not let us stay
there. He is breaking all records for kids with his cancer. He is itching
to get back to playing basketball. We have been home for 3 weeks and he is
feeling better every day. They have told us that he needs to have a mask
on when he is out in public and he won't be able to go back to school
until March. Thanks for keeping us in your prayers. This town of Keizer
that we live in has been wonderful. They have just helped out and sent
cards to him. Checking on us all the time. Anyway I better get going. Talk
with you soon.
Love Mary
From: <fars@chemeketa.edu>
To: <maryth1@earthlink.net>
Date: 10/11/2002 8:19:05 AM
Subject: Bohlander Has Extra Incentive
From: Sherie
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Bohlander Has Extra Incentive
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By STEVE HENSON
TIMES STAFF WRITER
October 11 2002
Tackle Bryce Bohlander thought he took everything with him when he left his
hometown of Keizer, Ore., to return to UCLA in the fall. Turns out he left a
piece of his heart.
The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.latimes.com/la-sp-uclanotes11oct11,0,2040547.story
Visit Latimes.com at
http://www.latimes.com
Sent: 10/11/2002 12:52:01 PM
Subject: Bohlander has special fan
This article was emailed to you at the request of : Sherie -
fars@chemeketa.edu
The sender included the following brief SenderMessage :
Link to this article
Link
to LA Daily News
Bohlander has special fan
By Billy Witz
Staff Writer
Thursday, October 10, 2002 - Several times each season,
offensive-line coach Mark Weber asks his players to write letters to loved
ones, explaining to them how they're doing, what they're doing and commit
their performance to them.
Offensive tackle Bryce Bohlander, who often uses the opportunity to write
to his parents in Keizer, Ore., chose a different subject last week:
13-year-old Chris Holt, who was diagnosed with leukemia last June.
Holt, whose cousin is Bohlander's best friend, underwent a bone-marrow
transplant three weeks ago and is confined to a Portland hotel room that
must be sanitized daily. As a result, attending UCLA's game at Oregon State
last Saturday wasn't possible.
"I wrote that I was sitting in a meeting, getting ready to go to practice
and I knew that he couldn't go to the game, but I'd hope he'd be able to see
it on TV," Bohlander said. "He's a real outgoing kid, and he's real active.
I know he'd give anything to be playing football right now, so I told him I
would play the Oregon State game on his behalf."
Sherie Farrell, Holt's aunt, said Bohlander's letter, along with
occasional e-mails and a visit this summer, have buoyed Holt's spirits.
"Chris is your average 13-year-old -- he has a flatline personality,"
Farrell said. "But when I walked in, he said, 'I got a letter from Bryce.' I
think this relationship has meant something to Chris."
UCLA won 43-35 and Bohlander had one of the best games of his career,
grading out at 93 percent -- the best mark of any lineman, Weber said.
"Afterward, I thought about Chris," Bohlander said. "It made it more
special the way we played. You don't want to lose a game that you commit to
somebody."
Holt had only one problem. He's a huge Beavers fan.
"Chris was kidding around," Farrell said. "He said Bryce could have
dedicated it to the Ducks this week."
Milestones: Cory Paus surpassed Tom Ramsey and moved into second place on
UCLA's all-time passing-yardage list with 6,432. Among those he's passed are
Troy Aikman, Tommy Maddox and Gary Beban.
"It feels nice to be mentioned in that category," Paus said. "As long as
the next kid doesn't pass me up like it's no big deal, I'll be there for a
while. It's nice after all is said and done, with the up-and-down career
I've had, to have some positive things. If I was (garbage) I wouldn't be on
that list. All the people who are up there are up there for a reason."
Dear Family and Friends;
Enclosed is a flyer on Chris Holt's Spaghetti Dinner Fund Raiser (Mary &
Mike Holt's - Chris / Art & Winnie Fromherz's - Mary). Please mark this
date on your calendar. I hate to forward attachemnts, but this is a
worthwhile event.
Please share it with your friends and family. (print and/or cyber space)
If out of the Salem Area (like us), you might have family and friends who
live in the area.
Russ and Marie Fromherz (Chris' Aunt and Uncle)
Reno, NV
Spaghetti
Dinner
Proceeds go
to the Chris Holt
Leukemia Fund
Sunday,
October 27th
5-7 pm
St. Edward’s
Church – Keizer
Suggested
Donation:
$4.00 for
adults
$2.00 for
children
Menu:
spaghetti, vegetable, bread, and dessert & beverages
Come and
enjoy a fun, family time that benefits the Holt family
Questions,
call Sherie Farrell at 503-393-2582
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I will still have this earthlink address for a little while longer. Talk
with you soon.
Mary
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