A Tamaqua teen is currently being treated in Philadelphia for a rare blood disorder and a fund has been set up to help the family.

Jennifer Lareau, 15, a tenth grade honors student at Tamaqua Area High School, has been diagnosed with aplastic anemia."It started about two months ago with constant headaches," says Theresa Gallahar of Tamaqua.Gallahar is Lareau's aunt and legal guardian.Lareau is a sport enthusiast and a member of the TAHS girls volleyball team.At first, family members thought the headaches were the result of a mild concussion Lareau had suffered during a volleyball game."But the headaches got worse to the point where three weeks ago I took her to St. Luke's Hospital in Coaldale," says Gallahar."She was complaining that her head was pounding and she coudn't sit up."A CT scan failed to pinpoint a problem and Lareau was given a prescription for heavy-duty naproxen and told to follow up with her doctor, says Gallahar.However, things grew worse.Lareau missed school and began suffering nausea and blurred vision.An initial visit to St. Christopher's Hospital for Children of Philadelphia failed to diagnosis anything but swollen glands. Lareau was sent home.However, the next day, she woke up and couldn't stand."She was running a fever and not doing well," says Gallahar.Lareau's grandmother, Alice Taylor, took her to St. Luke's Hospital where tests showed "her blood was out of whack," Gallahar said.Doctors guessed she might be suffering from leukemia.Lareau was transferred to Philadelphia. There, she was diagnosed with aplastic anemia and is now being treated in the oncology department at St. Christopher's Hospital.Aplastic anemia is a disorder in which the bone marrow fails to make enough blood cells, according to the American Cancer Society.These cells are made by blood-forming stem cells in the bone marrow. In aplastic anemia, the stem cells are damaged and there are very few of them. As a result, too few blood cells are produced.According to medical journals, aplastic anemia is not a type of cancer but may be associated with certain cancers, especially those affecting the bone marrow, such as leukemia or cancer treatments. A small number of patients with aplastic anemia may develop leukemia.Aplastic anemia can be inherited or acquired, but the causes are hard to pinpoint."The body is attacking itself," says Gallahar. "Her immune system is shot. She has no immune system."Lareau is keeping her spirits high and is looking into cyberschooling because she's worried about her grades. She also maintains hope of returning to the volleyball team."She has her ups and downs," says Gallahar.Late last week, family friend Holly Koscak met with officials at Woodforest Bank to set up a fund to help the family.Donations by check can be made out to Holly Koscak and mailed to Woodforest Bank, c/o Patrick Wawrzeniak, 1731 Blakeslee Blvd. Dr. East, Lehighton Pa. 18235.Call the bank at 570-386-5480 for more information.Greetings and get well cards to cheer Jennifer Lareau can be sent c/o Theresa Gallahar, 515 N. Railroad St., Tamaqua, Pa., 18252.