‘Madi needs a miracle’ Linton teen won’t fight alone

The battle of Linton-Stockton senior Madi Moore against acute myeloid leukemia has become an all-out war, and Greene County residents have clearly become Moore’s allies as she faces the fight of her life.

Moore, who beat AML in July of 2018, underwent a stem cell transplant in August 2018, using donated bone marrow containing hematopoietic stem cells donated by a young woman in Europe.

Moore now faces a new enemy known as graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).

According to the American Cancer Society, GVHD is not rare. Up to 70 percent of transplant recipients develop acute GVHD, which crops up within the first few months of treatment, and 40 percent get chronic GVHD, the form that appears more than 100 days post-transplant. As the name implies, the chronic condition can last for years — or a lifetime — and its symptoms range from mildly annoying to disabling to life-threatening.

After a stem cell transplant, the recipient’s body will soon start to produce immune cells from the donor stem cells. Any malignant cells that linger after pre-transplant treatment can thus be killed off by the new immune cells, in a process that is referred to as the graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effect.

In Moore’s case, the life-threatening complication is attacking her skin and lungs, making breathing difficult and elevating Moore’s blood pressure. Moore is not eligible to receive a lung transplant because patients must be cancer-free for five years before being considered.

Moore, at Riley Hospital, shows off her swag from American Muscle Car Club of Linton.

A recent social media post from Moore’s mother, Tera Orman, reveals doctors at Riley Hospital have informed the family that they have done all they can do to help Moore.

“We need a miracle today,” Orman said, “I’m still trusting God. We owe our child our fight, our faith and our strength. Madi is fighting hard, and if we could all continue to fight hard with her, that’s gonna help her through this. She never quits. She keeps fighting and pushing.”

The support for Moore and her family is overwhelming, even being shown by rival school Eastern Greene, whose Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) chapter came together recently to pray for Moore.

“Tonight we witnessed Eastern Greene FCA, volleyball, football and basketball teams, members of the marching band and community members put rivalries aside and gather together to pray for Madi Moore from Linton High School,” their social media post read. “The EG community is praying for you and your family, Madi.”

Members of Eastern Greene’s FCA, volleyball, football and basketball teams, members of the marching band and community members pray for Moore.

Two of Moore’s biggest fans, Linton residents Andrew Perkins and Aaron Hale, have organized an event called “Cruise-In for a Cause” for Moore’s supporters July 21 at Linton’s Humphreys Park.

“This is just weighing very heavily on our hearts, and we just had to do something,” Perkins said. “Our car club, All American Muscle, will be hosting a cruise-in at the city park in Linton at 1 p.m. July 21. No trophies, no awards and no ribbons, this is 100 percent for Madi. We will be accepting donations for her. Give if you want to, give what you want to, or not at all. It’s up to you. What I am asking is for everyone to come out and support her. We would like to ask the community to join us in prayer for her. You don’t have to pray if that’s not what you do, and the event is entirely non-denominational, but show up and support her. Let’s bring this community together in one place for one cause. Sending prayers on social media is easy, we want to pray together as a community in person, and join together our intent for Madi to come through this.”

The community support for Moore continues to grow as the plucky teen and her family stay “Madistrong.”

The prayer circle July 11 at WRV High School.

At White River Valley High School July 11, a group of students, faculty and administrators gathered on the school’s front lawn, joining hands in prayer for Moore.

“Our kids are tremendously caring of others,” said WRV Schools Superintendent Dr. Bob Hacker. “They do everything they can to give back to those in times of need. Whether it’s a medical emergency or a philanthropic effort, our kids are not afraid to act. I am extremely proud of them and we all are hoping for the best for Madi and her family.”

The City of Jasonville recently posted the news that Moore has been chosen as a recipient of this year’s “Swing For A Cure” fundraiser as well.

The Humphreys Park event will feature food vendors, speakers, live music from Little Connie and representatives from at least five Linton-area churches. In addition, a banner created by Shad Cox of Shad’s Signs in Linton will be present at the event for all attendees to sign.

To show their support, many are sporting this cover photo on social media.

For more information, search these hashtags: #madistrong #prayformadi #carfamily #community #webelieveinmiracles.