coppertalk

John Hawkins was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at age 14, and less than a year later, was in need of a stem cell transplant. Since pediatric stem cell transplants are only offered at a few medical facilities in the United States, John and his mother, Dawn, had to travel to Charleston for the procedure. Upon arrival in South Carolina, John and Dawn sought shelter at the Ronald McDonald House. Ronald McDonald Houses are world-renowned for the the care they offer to families and children in need and the good they provide their communities.

The Hawkins family

While in the hospital for treatment, John acquired Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), an infection of the lungs and breathing passages. RSV is highly contagious and can live on surfaces, hands and clothing. John was kept in isolation to prevent the spread of germs to other patients. Not only was he experiencing a scary illness and intense rehabilitation, but also he was doing it in seclusion. Sadly, John’s story is all too common. Each year, over two million infections are contracted in U.S. hospitals, claiming nearly 100,000 lives. It also is estimated that 80 percent of infectious diseases are transferred by touch. These figures continue to grow at an alarming rate despite best efforts in hand-washing and surface cleaning.

The Copper Development Association and the Ronald McDonald House of Charleston are fighting against these statistics with Antimicrobial Copper. The Charleston property has chosen to replace many of their high-touch surfaces with Antimicrobial Copper products to create a safer living and working environment for its guests and staff. These new surfaces made from solid, copper-based metals like brass and bronze, continuously kill bacteria that cause deadly infections. The antimicrobial properties are permanent and inherent to the metals, which are 100 percent recyclable and completely safe to touch.

After spending 25 days in Charleston, John was able to return home to Greenville, S.C.  Now 16 years old, John is playing baseball every weekend and driving his new truck around town. His most recent scans have been clear, and he continues to grow stronger every day. He and his family were thrilled to learn of the new renovations happening at the Ronald McDonald House of Charleston and hope to return for a (doctor-free) visit upon the project’s completion in January 2012.