Canon Perkins ... the eyes say it all!

By Ashley Davis, staff reporter for The Duster, a Lubbock Christian University Student Publication

October 30, 2005

Rare disease threatens life of Amarillo youngster … we ALL can help!

One gaze into those big blue eyes and anyone can see that Canon Perkins is your average 19-month-old, curious to the world. One thing about this little boy distinguishes him from most other children his age, though … he is already in a fight for life.

Sadly the trials of this family didn’t start here. Canon is a blessing to his parents, Drew and Chandra, both educators in intercity Amarillo, in more than one way. Five years ago his family suffered the loss of his older sister, Amberly, when she was born prematurely and only lived for 22 days. After the tragedy of a miscarriage, Chandra became pregnant with Canon and was sent to five months of bed rest. Finally, the heartache seemed over when a healthy Canon was born.

After noticing that Canon was developing slower than he should, his parents began to worry. The day before his first birthday, the results from his nine month well check revealed that Canon had a rare genetic disorder called Glycogen Storage Disorder (GSD), Type IV. The effect of the disease is taking a toll on his liver, causing cirrhosis much like an alcoholic experiences. The only hope for Canon is a liver transplant before his second birthday. To understand how rare and serious the disease is here are some statistics: one in every 20,000-to-25,000 people have one of the six types of GSD and Type IV makes up about three percent of that. Canon is one of 50 cases in the world. In order to acquire the disease both parents must have the dormant gene, and the probability of that is one in a million.

Another glimmer of hope recently came to the family when they learned that Canon was put at the top of the liver transplant list and should be receiving a liver before the end of the year, but the trials won’t stop there. The cost for his liver transplant is approximately $600,000 and only $250,000 of that is covered by insurance. But, thanks to the hearts of the West Texas community, COTA (Children’s Organ Transplant Association) reports that the family has raised $100,250 toward medical costs. Recently, 34 cyclists took part in the Tour de Canon, which raised $13,000 alone. Aside from the medical cost, Canon’s two-month-old brother, Creed, now awaits results that could start this endless cycle for him. Probability for him is one-in-four.

Lubbock Christian University has taken part in the fundraising efforts. Student Senate recently donated $800 and will be selling bracelets for Canon, along with Christliche Damen and Kappa Phi Kappa. The cost is $2 per bracelet and $1.50 of that goes towards Canon. A portion of Koinonia’s recent date auction has been donated. Also, the Aggies have offered to match any other LCU organization’s donation up to $600.

For more information about Canon or his family you can email Canon’s uncle, Paul Partlow, at paul@sunset.cc or visit www.canon.mgmorrow.com. There you’ll also find a guestbook. You are encouraged to write a note or send a prayer to Canon and his family and let them know that they are not far from our thoughts.

(Thank you to Paul Partlow for his contribution to this story.)