While she was pregnant, Danielle Haugen learned her unborn child had the rare genetic immune condition known as “bubble boy disease.” The diagnosis was especially painful for her, since her brother had died from the same disease decades ago. Determined to protect their son, Danielle and her husband Nick Haugen made major changes to their Dennison, Minnesota, home and farm, getting rid of the animals and installing medical-grade UV lights.
Their son, James Jacob “JJ” Haugen, was born last December, and in March of this year, he received a life-saving bone marrow transplant made possible by an anonymous donor. The Haugens spent months living near the hospital during JJ’s treatment, while they received help from friends, family, and local companies to prepare for him to be able to come home eventually.
Recently, the family was finally able to return to their farm with JJ. Grateful for the donor’s gift, the Haugens are now encouraging others to join the bone marrow donor registry to help save more lives. They are focused on creating joyful memories with JJ and his sister, Brindley, and hope to one day meet the woman who gave their son a second chance at life.
Source: CBS NEWS