Health
Pennsylvania mom seeks ‘perfect match’ bone marrow donor to cure daughter’s rare disorder: ‘Crucial need’
A 10-year-old girl in Pennsylvania is in dire need of a bone marrow transplant — and her mother is on a mission to find the perfect match.
Lani Walter suffers from a disease called DOCK8 deficiency (dedicator of cytokinesis 8 deficiency), an immunodeficiency syndrome that can cause recurrent, life-threatening infections.
DOCK8 is very rare, with only 250 people worldwide currently diagnosed, statistics show. The only cure for DOCK8 is a bone marrow transplant — also known as a hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT).
YOUNG GIRL SURVIVES CANCER THANKS TO LITTLE SISTER’S LIFESAVING DONATION: ‘A PERFECT MATCH’
Ashleigh Walter, a kindergarten teacher, is pleading for people to join the bone marrow/blood stem cell registry to help her daughter find a donor by summer.
“Time is of the essence,” she told Fox News Digital.
Search for answers
Walter’s daughter was diagnosed with DOCK8 when she was 7½ years old, the culmination of a long series of symptoms and illnesses.
Lani Walter, 10, is in dire need of a bone marrow transplant — and her mother is on a desperate mission to find the perfect match. (Ashleigh Walter)
“Lani’s health issues started at just a couple of months old,” Walter told Fox News Digital during an interview. “As a baby, she had full-body eczema from head to toe and continuous ear infections.”
At 11 months old, she was diagnosed with severe allergies to eggs, milk, peanuts, tree nuts and many other foods. She’s also experienced continuous skin infections and staph infections.
In Jan. 2021, the family was invited to a clinic at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), where Walter’s daughter was able to see specialists from immunology, allergy and dermatology together in one appointment.
NEW JERSEY WOMAN RECOVERING AFTER RECEIVING SUCCESSFUL PIG KIDNEY TRANSPLANT
“They all came together to try and figure out what might be going on,” Walter said. “Each of the specialties ran their own special bloodwork to see what was going on with Lani.”
The results showed some abnormalities in the immune system, and doctors recommended doing genetic testing.
Lani Walter, pictured, has suffered from health issues since birth. She was diagnosed with a DOCK8 deficiency when she was 7 years old. The only known cure is a bone marrow transplant. (Ashleigh Walter)
A few months later, the family received the news that Walter’s daughter has two variants of the DOCK8 gene.
“If you have issues on both sides of the gene, that’s when you present with the disorder,” Walter said. “Testing showed that both my husband and I are recessive carriers to the DOCK8 variant, which we passed down to Lani.”
She added, “So that was when we found out that all of the health issues Lani has experienced throughout her entire life were not unrelated.”
“All of the health issues Lani has experienced throughout her entire life were not unrelated.”
Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center and a Fox News medical contributor, was not involved in Lani Walter’s care but commented on the condition.
“DOCK 8 is a rare immune condition where the bone marrow doesn’t make enough immune cells and the immune cells that are made have trouble penetrating into dense tissue, like skin,” he told Fox News Digital.
After the diagnosis, Walter’s daughter was invited to visit the National Institute of Health in Maryland, where researchers are studying DOCK8 deficiency.
Lani Walter, left, is pictured with her mother, older sister and father. If she does not find a 100% perfect bone marrow match, her mom, Ashleigh Walter, who is a 50% match, will donate. (Ashleigh Walter)
“We go there about every six months to see how Lani is doing, and what they recommend as she gets older,” Walter said.
The symptoms of DOCK8 deficiency tend to get more severe as the child grows into late adolescence and early adulthood, doctors have said.
Some of the biggest concerns are respiratory difficulties and a higher risk of various cancers, along with the ongoing risk of infections.
FOUR TEXAS RESIDENTS FOREVER CONNECTED BY TWO KIDNEY DONATIONS IN DIFFERENT CITIES: ‘SUPERBLY TIMED’
To help manage her condition, Walter’s daughter has been getting weekly intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) infusions, which add human antibodies to help fight off infections.
She also takes daily antibiotics to help prevent pneumonia, uses an inhaler to help her respiratory system and takes other medications to treat different illnesses she experiences as a result of her DOCK8 deficiency.
Lani Walter’s hobbies include swimming, crafting, bike-riding, and spending time with her friends and pets. (Ashleigh Walter)
“That’s probably one of the least favorite parts of her day, when I tell her that she needs to take her medicine,” Walter said.
Since the only cure for her condition is a bone marrow transplant, “her doctors recommend that Lani has [the] transplant to help cure the DOCK8 before she gets older.”
What to know about bone marrow transplants
Dr. Brett Osborn, a Florida neurologist and longevity expert at Senolytix, described HSCT as a “transformative reset button” for patients suffering from DOCK8 deficiency.
Osborn is not involved in Lani Walter’s care.
“Imagine your immune system as a computer plagued by a virus,” he told Fox News Digital.
“HSCT can mean a dramatic shift toward immunologic normalcy, providing a new lease on life.”
“HSCT removes the compromised ‘software’ and installs new, functional cells. For individuals with DOCK8 deficiency — who typically face frequent infections, severe allergies and increased cancer risk — HSCT can mean a dramatic shift toward immunologic normalcy, providing a new lease on life.”
Siegel also emphasized the procedure’s importance, calling it a “crucial life-saving procedure.”
Dr. Marc Siegel, left, and Dr. Brett Osborn, right, both weighed in on the importance of a diverse bone marrow registry. (Dr. Marc Siegel/Dr. Brett Osborn)
The average wait for a transplant is about three months, according to Siegel.
“They are very expensive — about $190,000,” he said. “Insurance generally covers the procedure, but not the cost of finding a donor.”
There is around a 25% chance that a sibling will be a match. In Lani Walter’s case, her 14-year-old sister was not a match.
PENNSYLVANIA MOTHER AND SON BOTH BORN WITH RARE GENETIC DISEASE: ‘CLOSER BECAUSE OF THIS’
“The overall chance of finding a match in the world is 1/3 to 2/3,” Siegel said.
The National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) maintains a registry of people who are willing to donate. The Walter family found a 90% match on the registry, but the optimal situation would be to find a 100% match.
“There’s much less risk with the bone marrow transplant if you can find that perfect match,” Walter told Fox News Digital.
‘Time is of the essence’
Lani Walter’s doctors recommend that she receives the donation before she starts middle school. Next year, she will start fifth grade.
“Ideally, we would do it before Lani sees significant issues with other organs in her body,” said Ashleigh Walter.
“Joining the bone marrow registry could be your most profound gift.”
If the family does not find a perfect match, Walter said she will donate to her daughter, as parents are always half-matches.
“Obviously, we would still love for her to be able to find a full match on the donor registry, which is much less of a risk,” she said. “But if that’s not possible, we can move forward with a half match.”
Lani Walter’s doctors are recommending she receive the bone marrow donation before she starts middle school. Next year, she will start fifth grade. (Ashleigh Walter)
With partial matches, there is a higher risk of “graft versus host disease,” which is a complication that occurs when donor bone marrow or stem cells attack the recipient.
“It can cause different issues throughout the body, similar to an organ transplant rejection,” Walter said.
If her daughter receives a successful bone marrow transplant, Walter said — she will be cured of DOCK8.
PENNSYLVANIA PARENTS HONOR THEIR DAUGHTER WHO DIED OF A RARE GENETIC DISEASE: ‘SWEETEST GIRL IN THE WORLD’
“She won’t have an immune deficiency anymore,” she said. “She’ll adopt the immune system of the donor, and we won’t have to worry about any of those increased risks at all.”
Walter is hopeful that her daughter — whom she describes as “a little kid at heart” — will soon be healthy and able to return to the activities she loves, including swimming.
If her daughter receives a successful bone marrow transplant, Ashleigh Walter said, she will be cured of DOCK8. Walter is hopeful that her daughter will soon be healthy and able to return to the activities she loves (Ashleigh Walter)
“Lani has been on a swim team since kindergarten, and this will be her first summer not doing it,” Walter said.
She also enjoys bike-riding, crafting, and spending time with her friends and pets.
A call to register
There are millions of potential donors on the bone marrow registry — with more than 300,000 Americans joining just last year — but Walter noted that the likelihood of someone finding a perfect match is very low.
“The more people who join the registry, the more likely that a perfect match will be there for you,” she said.
THE GIRL WHO CAN’T SMILE: HOW A RARE DISORDER BECAME A YOUNG WOMAN’S ‘GREATEST GIFT’
As a neurosurgical trauma surgeon, Osborn of Florida said he can attest to the dire need for blood and bone marrow donors.
“There is a critical shortage of both,” he said. “In emergency and surgical settings, the availability of blood products can be the difference between life and death.”
People can join the bone marrow registry by visiting the NMDP’s website to order a test kit. “It’s a really simple cheek swab kit that they’ll send to your house and then you send it back,” Walter said. (iStock)
It’s “vital” to have diversity in the bone marrow registry, Osborn noted.
“A closely matched donor reduces complications and improves outcomes,” he said.
“This emphasizes why everyone should consider joining the registry. We can all manufacture these potentially life-saving blood products, and by donating, we fulfill a crucial societal need.”
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
While some have the misconception that donation is difficult, Osborn said that’s not the case.
“Donating bone marrow is a low-risk, outpatient procedure associated with only minor discomfort. It’s a great way to pay it forward.”
“In emergency and surgical settings, the availability of blood products can be the difference between life and death.”
People can join the bone marrow registry by visiting the NMDP’s website to order a test kit.
“It’s a really simple cheek swab kit that they’ll send to your house and then you send it back,” Walter said. “You don’t have to pay any money for anything.”
“The more people that join, the more people who can find their perfect match.”
“For conditions like DOCK8 deficiency, a bone marrow transplant can offer a chance at a healthier life,” Osborn added.
“Joining the bone marrow registry could be your most profound gift, potentially saving a life with your healthy cells.”
For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.
Welcome to the Brain Health Challenge! I’m Dana Smith, a reporter at The New York Times, and I’ll be your guide.
To live a healthy life, it’s crucial to have a healthy brain. In the short term, it keeps you sharp and firing on all cylinders. In the long term, it can reduce your risk of cognitive decline, dementia and stroke.
Practicing basic healthy behaviors, like eating nutritious food and getting regular exercise, is the best way to enhance your brain power and protect the longevity of your neurons. These types of lifestyle habits can benefit the brain at any age. And while they won’t guarantee that you’ll never develop dementia or another brain disease, several clinical trials have shown that they can improve cognition or slow decline.
Every day this week, you’ll do an activity that’s good for your brain, and we’ll dig into the science behind why it works. Some of these activities can provide a small immediate cognitive benefit, but the bigger reward comes from engaging in them consistently over time. So along with the neuroscience lessons, we’ll include a few tips to help you turn these actions into lasting habits.
To keep you accountable, we’re encouraging you to complete this challenge with a friend. If you don’t have a challenge buddy, no problem: We’re also turning the comments section into one big support group.
There are so many fascinating ways your daily behaviors affect your brain. Take sleep, for example.
Lots of studies have shown that getting a good night’s rest (seven to eight hours) is associated with better memory and other cognitive abilities. That’s because sleep, especially REM sleep, is when your brain transfers short-term memories — things you learned or experienced during the day — into long-term storage.
Sleep is also when your brain does its daily housekeeping. While you rest, the brain’s glymphatic system kicks into high gear, clearing out abnormal proteins and other molecular garbage, including the protein amyloid, which is a major contributor to Alzheimer’s disease. A buildup of amyloid is one reason experts think that people who routinely get less sleep have a higher risk of dementia.
What other behaviors play a big role in brain health? For today’s activity, we’re going to test your knowledge with a quiz. Share your score with your accountability partner and in the comments below — I’ll be in there too, cheering you on.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
An often-overlooked part of the body may reveal important clues about overall health.
Researchers from the University of Westminster in the U.K. discovered that the shape of the gluteus maximus muscle in the buttocks changes with age, gender, lifestyle and frailty, as well as certain conditions like osteoporosis and type 2 diabetes.
Using advanced MRI scans that create 3D images, researchers revealed “distinct” patterns in the gluteus maximus associated with type 2 diabetes.
HOW TO AVOID GETTING ‘OFFICE CHAIR BUTT’ FROM PROLONGED SITTING AT WORK
This suggested that the shape of the muscle, rather than the size, may “reflect underlying metabolic differences,” a press release stated.
The findings were presented in December at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) in Chicago.
Butt shape may indicate underlying health conditions, according to new research. (iStock)
Unlike previous studies looking at muscle size or fat, the 3D imaging identified exactly where the muscle changes occur, according to the researchers.
As one of the largest muscles in the human body, the gluteus maximus “plays a key role” in metabolic health, according to lead study author E. Louise Thomas, Ph.D., professor of metabolic imaging at the University of Westminster’s School of Life Sciences.
OLDER AMERICANS ARE QUITTING GLP-1 WEIGHT LOSS DRUGS FOR 4 KEY REASONS
The researchers analyzed more than 61,000 MRI scans from a large UK health database to better understand the muscle’s structure.
The data also included the participants’ physical measurements, demographics, disease biomarkers, medical history and lifestyle habits. The researchers studied how these variables were linked to muscle shape over time.
An infographic from the Radiological Society of North America presentation displays research findings on the shape of the gluteus maximus. (RSNA)
“People with higher fitness, as measured by vigorous physical activity and hand grip strength, had a greater gluteus maximus shape, while aging, frailty and long sitting times were linked to muscle thinning,” study co-author Marjola Thanaj, Ph.D., a senior research fellow at the University of Westminster’s Research Centre for Optimal Health, said in the release.
5 FITNESS TRENDS THAT WENT VIRAL IN 2025 – EXPERTS WEIGH HYPE VS RESULTS
The researchers concluded that butt shape changes may indicate an “early functional decline” and “metabolic compromise” in type 2 diabetes patients.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES
Men with type 2 diabetes showed muscle shrinkage, while women displayed enlarged muscle, likely due to “infiltration of fat” within it, according to the researchers.
These results suggest that men and women have “very different biological responses to the same disease,” Thanaj suggested.
Butt shape changes may indicate an “early functional decline” and “metabolic compromise” in type 2 diabetes patients. (iStock)
Men who were categorized as “frail” were recognized as having more “general shrinkage” across the gluteus maximus, but women experienced a “limited” frailty effect.
Building strong glutes for better health
Strengthening the glutes is an “investment in long-term health,” according to Tanya Becker, co-founder of Physique 57 in New York City.
“While full-body strength training is essential, focusing on your glutes — the largest muscle group in your body — deserves special attention,” she told Fox News Digital.
“While full-body strength training is essential, focusing on your glutes — the largest muscle group in your body — deserves special attention.” (iStock)
Becker refers to the glutes as the body’s “shock absorbers,” because they protect the lower back, knees and hips from taking on stress they weren’t designed to handle.
Larger muscle groups also burn more calories and help regulate blood sugar, the expert added, noting that muscles are often referred to as the “organ of longevity.”
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Strengthening the glutes also helps to protect the lower back, hips and knees, and also improves posture and balance, reducing the risk of falls and improving mobility.
“People with higher fitness, as measured by vigorous physical activity and hand grip strength, had a greater gluteus maximus shape.”
Becker recommends traditional weighted exercises like squats, lunges and bridges, although they are not suited for everyone, especially older adults with injuries and joint pain.
“Pilates and barre classes offer bodyweight exercises that are ideal for beginners or individuals with physical limitations,” she suggested. “They can be done anytime, anywhere, making them accessible for beginners before progressing to weighted versions.”
Glute bridges (demonstrated above) are a recommended exercise for strengthening those muscles. (iStock)
Becker shared the following three glute exercises that improve hip mobility, stability and overall strength.
No. 1: Quadruped leg lifts (strengthens entire core and glutes)
Start on the hands and knees, engage your core, and lift one leg off the floor (bent or straight). Pulse up and down a few inches for 30 to 60 seconds, then repeat on the other leg.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
No. 2: Clamshells (strengthens gluteus medius)
Lie on your side with knees bent at 90 degrees in front of you. Lift your top knee away from your bottom knee, then lower slowly.
For an increased challenge, lift both feet off the ground while keeping the heels together. Repeat for 30 to 60 seconds per side.
Strong muscles are responsible for maintaining metabolic health, according to Becker. (iStock)
No. 3: Glute bridges (strengthens lower back and glutes)
Lie on your back with knees bent and feet parallel, a few inches from your hips. Engage your abs, and squeeze your glutes to lift your hips toward knee height, then lower.
If you feel pressure in your neck, you’ve lifted too high. Perform for 30 to 60 seconds. Complete three sets with 30-second rests between them.
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
Those looking to start a new fitness routine should first consult with a doctor.
Fox News Digital reached out to the study authors for comment.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
What if your New Year’s resolution could fit inside a tote bag? Social media users are trying the “analog bag” trend, replacing phones with offline activities.
The trend is widely credited to TikTok creator Sierra Campbell, who posted about her own analog bag — containing a crossword book, portable watercolor set, Polaroid camera, planner and knitting supplies — and encouraged followers to make their own.
Her video prompted many others to share their own versions, with items like magazines, decks of cards, paints, needlepoint and puzzle books.
CREATIVE HOBBIES KEEP THE BRAIN YOUNG, STUDY FINDS — HERE ARE THE BEST ONES TO PURSUE
“I made a bag of non-digital activities to occupy my hands instead of the phone,” said Campbell, adding that the practice has significantly cut her screen time and filled her life with “creative and communal pursuits that don’t include doom-scrolling.”
“I created the analog bag after learning the only way to change a habit is to replace it with another,” she told Fox News Digital.
Social media users are trying the “analog bag” trend, replacing phones with offline activities like cameras, notebooks and magazines. (Fox News Digital)
The science of healthier habits
Research on habit formation supports the idea of the analog bag, according to Dr. Daniel Amen, a California-based psychiatrist and founder of Amen Clinics.
“Your brain is a creature of habit,” Amen said during an interview with Fox News Digital. “Neurons that fire together wire together, meaning that every time you repeat a behavior, whether it’s good or bad, you strengthen the neural pathways that make it easier to do it again.”
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
Studies show that habits are automatic responses to specific cues — such as boredom, stress or idle time — that typically deliver some kind of reward, according to the doctor. When no alternative behavior is available, people tend to fall back on the same routine, often without realizing it.
Research suggests that replacing an old habit with a new one tied to the same cue is more effective than trying to suppress the behavior altogether.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
“[When] cutting out coffee — you need to have another drink to grab for, not just quit cold turkey. It’s how the pathways in our brains work,” Campbell said.
By substituting a different routine that still provides stimulation and engagement, people can gradually weaken the original habit and build a new automatic response.
Substituting another activity instead of scrolling on your phone can help quell the impulse to reach for it. (iStock)
“Simply stopping a behavior is very challenging,” Amen said. “Replacing one habit with something that is better for your brain is much easier. That’s how lasting change happens, one step at a time.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES
If alternatives are within arm’s reach, people will be more likely to use them, the doctor said. “Your brain does much better with small, simple actions than big, vague intentions.”
Instead of saying, “I’ll stop scrolling today,” the doctor recommends choosing a small habit you can do in a few moments in specific situations, like knitting 10 rows of a scarf on your commute or reading a few pages of a book while waiting at the doctor’s office.
“If alternatives are within arm’s reach, you’re more likely to use them,” a brain doctor said. “Your brain does much better with small, simple actions than big, vague intentions.” (iStock)
Campbell shared her own examples of how to use an analog bag. At a coffee shop with friends, she said, she might pull out a crossword puzzle and ask others to help with answers when the conversation lulls.
Instead of taking dozens of photos on her phone, she uses an instant camera, which limits shots and encourages more intentional moments.
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
In casual outdoor settings, such as a park or winery, she brings a small watercolor set for a quick creative outlet.
“It’s brought so much joy,” Campbell said of the analog bag trend, “seeing how it resonates with so many.”
On This Day, Jan. 5: New Hampshire adopts first state constitution – UPI.com
Hischier | POST-RAW 1.4.26 | New Jersey Devils
New Mexico transfer LS Trey Dubuc commits to Texas
Fiery crash in Polk County leaves two dead; Highway Patrol
Letter: Why do North Dakota Republican politicians fear ethics?
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Video: ‘It Didn’t Have to Happen This Way:’ U.Va. Faculty Call for Review of Police Response to Protests
Trump vows US ‘in charge’ of Venezuela as he reveals if he’s spoken to Delcy Rodríguez
Trump’s abduction of Maduro escalates concerns over potential war with Iran
Cuba says 32 Cuban fighters killed in US raids on Venezuela
Dan Bongino officially leaves FBI deputy director role after less than a year, returns to ‘civilian life’
Hundreds march in silence to honour Crans-Montana fire victims
-
World1 week agoHamas builds new terror regime in Gaza, recruiting teens amid problematic election
-
Indianapolis, IN1 week agoIndianapolis Colts playoffs: Updated elimination scenario, AFC standings, playoff picture for Week 17
-
Business1 week agoGoogle is at last letting users swap out embarrassing Gmail addresses without losing their data
-
Southeast1 week agoTwo attorneys vanish during Florida fishing trip as ‘heartbroken’ wife pleads for help finding them
-
Politics1 week agoMost shocking examples of Chinese espionage uncovered by the US this year: ‘Just the tip of the iceberg’
-
News1 week agoRoads could remain slick, icy Saturday morning in Philadelphia area, tracking another storm on the way
-
World1 week agoPodcast: The 2025 EU-US relationship explained simply
-
News1 week agoMarijuana rescheduling would bring some immediate changes, but others will take time