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Marquita Reinhardt and Matthew Lee at Mill Mountain Coffee Shop recently.

Matthew Aden Lee turned two on April 25th. He was diagnosed at birth with Severe Hemophilia A, after complications from a medical procedure. During his first year and half of life treating his disorder as needed, the family learned he had developed an inhibitor in August of 2008 when he bled out for three days from a cut in his mouth. His blood does not have the right factor to clot, which is a genetic disorder. His particular condition is so rare that a child has a 1in 4 million chance of having the disorder.

Marquita Reinhardt of Troutville is his mother and Mike Lee is his father. (He has an older brother who does not have the disorder.) They are trying to draw attention to the plight of those with a rare and costly blood disorder like Matthew's. Most recently a Red Cross Blood drive at St. Phillips Lutheran Church in Hollins highlighted the need for blood donations with Matthew as the focus. Summer according to the Red Cross is a time when donations decline as people take vacation and participate in outdoor activities.

"Matthew is a brave little boy and my hero." said Reinhardt as she cuddled the toddler. Matthew is an energetic little boy with a serious disorder. "He doesn't realize it," said his father Mike who wants him to remain as normal as possible because this is Matthew's normal. At Mill Mountain Coffee Shop, Matthew plays, talks and charms with his big brown eyes. He likes the turkey made from tracing around his hand and fingers.  He is a very intelligent little fellow who asks questions a real delight to be around.  While his mother works, Matthew is cared for by his grandparents Susie and Wayne Kirby and Shawna Reinhardt. "With all of the possibilities occurring in research today, who knows what might be developed in his lifetime," said Mike Lee.

"A box of the daily medication costs $2, 500."  Reinhardt told the Botetourt View. "He uses one box every two hours." The medication is developed from blood by products Reinhardt said. That is the one cause of the appeal for blood donations for not only him, but accident victims and others with serious illnesses that require blood transfusions and blood by products. They are fortunate to have good insurance but for the many uninsured, Reinhardt has great sympathy.

Reinhardt is trying to get a grant to attend a seminar with the National Hemophilia Association in San Francisco this year. She writes in her application essay that local hospitals do not understand the severity of her son's disorder. They have taken him top the University of Virginia for treatment. However, she praised Jason Ferguson of Botetourt County EMS's Jason Ferguson who had a six hour training class for local rescue squads about such disorders. She desires more awareness so that people will understand the particular aspects of dealing with a chronic problem, especially rare and genetic disorders.

In the meantime, both Lee and Reinhardt ask that folks keep donating blood during the summer. Those who need blood for whatever reason, need you.