Non-Dolphins Story - Florida State Coach's Son Diagnosed With Fanconi Anemia

Although this is not a story about the Miami Dolphins, it is a story that interests many of our members here at the Phinsider. We have many members who are Florida State University alumni, and even more who are fans of the Seminoles. As such, I felt this was a story that needed to be relayed.

In December 2010, Florida State Head Coach Jimbo Fisher's son became ill. It has taken nine months to diagnose the six year old. And, that diagnosis is not good.

Yesterday, Fisher and his wife, Candi, held a press conference, during which they announced that their son, Ethan, has been diagnosed with Fanconi anemia. A rare, and potentially life threatening, genetic disease can lead to a higher risk of leukemia and other forms of cancer, and, if left untreated, normally results in death before the age of 30. The disease affects about 1 in 300,000 children each year.

"My first instinct was like anybody else - to go home and Google it," Candi said. "You don't find very promising things if you do that."

The only treatment for Fanconi anemia is bone marrow transplants. But even that is not a cure, and cannot be accomplished until Ethan is eleven. Meanwhile, the Fishers, having all been deemed to not be a suitable, are searching for a marrow match to serve as their donor.

In order to raise awareness in America for the disease, the Fishers have established the Kidz1stFund to raise money for OnaKwest for a Cure. The Fishers are urging people to visit kidz1stfund.com and fanconi.org to learn more about the disease and are encouraging people to sign up to be a bone marrow donor. To be placed in the National Bone Marrow Registry, all that is need is a simple cheek swab.

Fisher said it best, "Candi and I understand this. This disease will not define Ethan and it will not define our family. We will go at it everyday. But we also understand this - life does not stop with these circumstances. Life doesn't."