About KMS

Autumn Star was born, October 1, 2011, and at 3 weeks of age, she was diagnosed with a very rare condition known as Kasabach-Merritt Syndrome.  There are only 250 reported cases in the WORLD since 1940. 

Kasabach-Merritt Syndrome is a rare, life-threatening condition in which either two specific vascular TUMORS trap and destroy platelets (Platelets are the component of your blood that helps with clotting).One type of tumor is known as a tufted angioma and the other is known as a KAPOSIFORM HEMANGIOENOTHELIOMA, this is the type my little Autumn Star has been fighting.

Autumn Star endured multiple transfusions, two biopsies, a bone marrow aspiration and several blood draws for testing.  Over a course of a 50-day stay in a Los Angeles Hospital, it came to be a Kasabach-Merritt Syndrome diagnosis.

  “TREATMENT” is “TRIAL”, there is NO set “PROTOCOL” for this condition, and “PROGNOSIS” is yet to be determined.

I have had a difficult time finding other patients or parents of patients, with this RARE condition, for me to simply compare notes with.  A lot of other BIG organizations were unable to assist me with emotional support or support for my other children due to the mere fact that this type of tumor is benign.  Time and time again, doors would close and I believe it is due to the fact that no one really knows about this condition.

So I made it my goal to SPREAD AWARENESS about the condition to help with future diagnosis in other babies and children around the world.

Here are some important links for more information about Kasabach-Merritt Syndrome;

Cincinnati Childrens Hospital website;

http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/health/k/kasabach-merritt/

Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Doctor - Denise M. Adams, MD;

http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/bio/a/denise-adams/

New Zealand Dermatological Society website;

http://dermnetnz.org/vascular/kasabach-merritt.html