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Fayetteville Boy Hopes For Lifesaving Transplant From Biological Family In Russia

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DURHAM, N.C. — A Fayetteville family traveled halfway around the world to adopt a child. Now, they may have to travel halfway around the world to save his life.

Two-year-old Ryan Creep lives near Fayetteville. He has

chronic granulomatous disease

, or CGD,a group of rare, inherited disorders of the immune system that are caused by defects in the immune system cells. The disease strikes 1 in 500,000 children.

"Right now he has an infection that they can't find," said Barb Creep, Ryan's mother. "If you move him in a certain way, he'll scream, he'll yell out."

Ryan's body cannot fight infection like most people.

"The closest thing that most people have heard of is 'the boy in the bubble disease.' They are both susceptible to infections," said Jeff Creep, Ryan's father.

Ryan receives pain medication intravenously 24 hours a day.The cure for his disease is a bone marrow transplant.

"So far the only treatment is a biological sibling, an exact match," Barb Creep said.

Ryan is adopted. His biological family lives in Russia. Barb Creep has spoken with Ryan's biological mother.

"She sounds like a very wonderful and loving person. She immediately wanted to help and wanted to know what to do to help him," she said.

Doctors at Duke are waiting for test results to see if there is a match. In the meantime, Ryan's condition is getting worse.

"When I try to get him to walk, it's just very sad. You can see his muscles are getting weaker, but he's going to make it," Barb Creep said.

Doctors should know by the end of this week whether Ryan's blood and bone marrow is a match with one of his family members in Russia.

The match is critical, because that could provide the cure that Ryan needs.

Ryan's medical bills are beginning to mount. Anyone who wants to help can send a donation to:

Ryan's Hope Fund c/o St. Joseph Catholic Church 624 South Peartree Lane Raleigh, N.C. 27610

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