THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 22, 1994 TAG: 9409210126
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 19 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JODY R. SNIDER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SMITHFIELD LENGTH: Medium: 57 lines
Three weeks ago, Jason Holt was a typical 4-year-old who loved to entertain himself with Tonka trucks. He was just starting preschool in Wakefield.
This week, he's into his second week of intense chemotherapy at the Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters in Norfolk. Jason has a very rare and fast-spreading form of cancer known as Berkitt's Lymphoma, which attacks the lymph system.
Jason's problems started about three weeks ago when he began complaining of stomach pain, said his father, Scott Holt, a Smithfield Police Department officer.
Jason was taken to Southampton Memorial Hospital, where it was believed he had a simple bowel blockage, Holt said.
But Holt said when doctors learned that Jason's big intestine had turned inside out and was trying to swallow the small intestine, they sent him to Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters for more tests and treatment.
A series of X-rays revealed that Jason had a large tumor in his small intestine. When doctors operated to extract the tumor, he was diagnosed with Berkitt's Lymphoma.
Although the survival rate for Berkitt's Lymphoma is 65 percent, this type of cancer spreads daily, Holt said.
``One day it was just a tumor in his small intestine, and the next week it had spread throughout his stomach,'' Holt said.
``He knows that he has boo-boos in his tummy. He's accepting it a whole lot better than his mommy and daddy,'' Holt said.
Officers at the Smithfield Police Department have organized several events to help pay Jason's medical expenses.
The first is an auction scheduled for 10 a.m. Oct. 29 at the Isle of Wight Rescue Squad building on South Church Street in Smithfield, said Smithfield police officer Mike Truitt.
Truitt said donations of furniture - or anything people have - are needed for the auction. He said businesses are encouraged to donate services to be auctioned off.
A blood drive for Jason also will be held from 12:30 to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 2 at the Wakefield Volunteer Fire Department, just off U.S. 460 behind the Virginia Diner restaurant. Jason needs A-positive blood, but other donors can give blood in his name to defray medical costs.
Those wishing to donate auction items can call Shelly Garner at the Isle of Wight Parks and Recreational Facility, 357-2291, or Jimmie Garner at the Smithfield Police Department, 357-3247.
Cash donations can be made to: The Friends of Jason Holt, the Bank of Isle of Wight, 1803 South Church St., Smithfield, Va.
Truitt said the goal is to raise $10,000. by CNB