About Evan Cousineau
This page is dedicated to help tell the story of Evan Cousineau -
a bubbling, spirited 9 year old hockey player, water polo player and surfer from San
Clemente. In May 2007, Evan was diagnosed with adrenoleukodystrophy or ALD.
Upon hearing of the tragic news, the Give Blood Play Hockey organizers along
with many others in the community immediately embraced him and his family with
their love and support.
Following a tenuous series of tests, hospital stays, and strenuous travel, Evan received a bone marrow
transplant (BMT) and blood transplant in June at the University of Minnesota Children's Hospital in
Minneapolis with hope to find a cure.
Beyond the decorated door to Evan’s hospital room, Mom Gina Cousineau and oldest daughter Mary
remained steadfast at Evan's side adding their loving care to Evan’s healthcare
and keeping a watchful eye 24/7. Father Mark Cousineau gave care for Evan's twin sister Alaina and oldest son
Derek and they would travel as possible to Minneapolis from their family home in San Clemente.
Evan fought to survive and his spirit remained intact throughout his lengthy and
ongoing battles. In November, news came to our community of Evan's passing. Evan
had lost his battle only days before he and his twin sister's 10th birthday.
Today, Evan's journey continues spirited on by his family and growing list of
supporters in helping to create awareness for the need to donate life through
marrow or blood cell transplants for patients who do not have a matched donor in
their family. This is also a family who has taken their words and spirt and put
them into action.
The
Be A Hero, Become A Donor story of Evan's
sister Mary giving her kidney to 2-year-old Dominik Lawson was the August 7,
2008 feature story on ABC
World News Tonight with Charles Gibson.
The
story of how the Orange County-based Cousineau family's grief gives
another family and their young son a new
lease on life is also
available to read online.
In addition to having created the Be A Hero
Be A Donor (BAHBAD) program, Gina journals daily in Evan’s
CaringBridge web site updating progress to a host of
inspired readers and teary-eyed subscribers.
The
Cousineau family and their late son Evan have touched many
hearts and been an important part of our charitable causes.
Please Be A Hero!
More about Evan and his journey can be found in articles including Remembering
Evan Cousineau from the OC Register and the heartfelt, ABC News
story, Little Boy Saved By Kidney Transplant,
of his sister Mary's Cousineau donation of her kidney to help save young Dominik
Lawson .
ALD is a genetic, progressive degenerative disorder that affects the neurons ability to transmit signals in the brain.
Goal Cans For Evan
GBPH 2007 volunteers hope to raise funds for Evan's family as they
struggle with his treatment and travel expenses as well as to increase awareness
for ALD. The Goal Cans For Evan program will solicit donations from
spectators following each goal scored throughout the three day tournament.
Volunteers will also be selling bracelets for Evan for $3 each. All proceeds go
direct to the Cousineau family.
C'mon hockey fans, let's make those goal cans go Cha-Ching!
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© 2007-08. Give Blood Play Hockey (GBPH) Charity Tournaments. All Rights Reserved.
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