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	The Manchester Enterprise A Heritage Newspaper Weekly Publication

Rare disease claims life of infant

By Daniel Lai, Editor

PUBLISHED: May 17, 2007

For one of Adrian's littlest residents, a courageous fight with a rare blood disorder has come to an end.

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Levi Joseph Williams died May 4 due to complications associated with Hemophagocytic-Lymphohistiocytosis, also known as HLH.

Levi was diagnosed with the disease in October 2006. The disorder is found primarily among young children at a very early age and can be either genetic or virally-induced. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, HLH affects approximately one in every 1 million children.

"Patients with HLH have an abnormally regulated immune system, and specific white blood cells, called macrophages, grow abnormally and accumulate in the body's organs, including the liver, spleen, bone marrow, central nervous system and skin," the Web site states.

Levi's mother, Jessica, said the pain of losing her son has been unbearable.

"We are going to miss him like heck," she said. "It's been really hectic since his passing. We have been trying to get everything situated with that and keep our other three boys under control."

Williams said donation jars, which have been placed around Manchester at Sunoco on M-52, Frank's at the Manchester Bakery and at the Coffee Mill, were picked up Friday.

"We didn't want to leave them out after the fact," she said.

However, Williams said a savings account in Levi's name which has been established at the Manchester branch of United Bank & Trust, will remain open.

"Everyone in the community has been great," she said. "We appreciate all the prayers and donations, and everything they have done for us.

"Even though I don't live in Manchester, it's really great that the town came together to help us."

A funeral and memorial service was held May 9 for Levi at the J. Gilbert Purse Funeral Home in Adrian.

Williams said though she can never replace the love she has for her son, recently she and her husband received news from doctors that she is pregnant.

"We found out a month and a half ago," she said. "We're pretty happy and excited. Nothing can replace Levi, though."

A remembrance benefit will be held for Levi from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. June 1 at Club Spice, 1575 W Maumee St., in Adrian.

"Whoever wants to come, it's open to the public," Williams said. "The owners of the club are putting it together and all (money) raised will go to help the family."

Editor Daniel Lai can be reached at 428-8173 or dlai@heritage.com.