Pop Warner Oganizes Blood Drive for Local Boy

Sixth-grader Carlos Don.

By Ruth Lepper

The community has turned out in force to come to the aid of a Ramona boy in critical condition at Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego.

Carlos Don, 12, has been diagnosed with methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, a rare type of bacterial infection that is resistant to certain antibiotics.

Carlos is in a medically induced coma and on life-support systems. He is responding well to treatments, according to Carlos J. Don, the boy's grandfather.

"We had a couple of scares but they've got him stabilized," Don said on Jan. 29. "He had an excellent night (Sunday, Jan. 28). Everything is a lot better than it was."

Don said doctors told the family it is not known how the boy contacted the infection but it could have become active when he was coming down with flu symptoms.

"They know he had been carrying the staph for some time but they don't know how long," the grandfather said in a telephone interview from the hospital. "You can carry this around for years and it can have no affect on you."

Tom Hunter and about 235 people turned out for the first blood drive held for Carlos. Photos by jamey ritter

About 235 people turned out on Jan. 27 for a blood drive in Ramona that was organized by members of Pop Warner Football. The San Diego Blood Bank Bloodmobile will return to the Albertsons parking lot here from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Feb. 3. Appointments are not necessary but may be made by calling the Blood Bank at 1-800-469-7322.

Carlos has played football with the league for four years and his parents, Amber and Carlos Don, are on the board of directors. Daily updates on Carlos' condition will be posted on the league's Web site at www.ramonapopwarner.net

Ben Narramore, president of the league, said the board also is planning a spaghetti dinner to help raise money for the family. The date and location have not yet been determined.

Don said his grandson's case is one of very few that have been diagnosed at Children's Hospital.

Shelby Schulz, Sophie Fortunato, and Kara Larson all helped raise money for Pop Warner player Carlos Don.

"They've only had three cases like this in the last 20 years and by far, this is the worst they've ever seen," Don said he was told by medical staff at the hospital.

Carlos was hospitalized Jan. 21 with the life-threatening infection after returning from a five-day camping session in the Cuyamaca mountains.

Although he became ill while attending Camp Cuyamaca with about 200 students from Hanson and James Dukes elementary schools, authorities say the boy's medical condition is not connected with the camp.

However, Camp Cuyamaca was closed for one week as a precautionary measure.

"When we found out Carlos was hospitalized, we thought it was a wise, cautious move to put the next school on hold until more information was gathered," said Jim Esterbrook, spokesman for the San Diego County Department of Education.

Once that was determined, the camp reopened on Jan. 29. "We have communicated to all the schools and passed along the health department's information that it's safe," Esterbrook added. "The terrible illness that struck Carlos was not something he picked up at camp."

An increased number of student absences in local schools have been attributed to flu-related illnesses.

Esterbrook said significant absenteeism has been noted recently countywide, not just in Ramona schools.

A benevolent account for the family has been established at Washington Mutual Bank in Ramona.

Donations may be made at any branch. For more information, call the bank at 760-789-0223.