Big fund-raiser for Sam Rowlett

Leukemia in remission but two more years of treatment needed

Lacey Rees - lrees@sierrastar.com

 

A mega-fund-raiser will be held for Sam Rowlett, 18, a Yosemite High School senior who was diagnosed in January with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

The event, open to the public of all ages, will be held on Friday, March 7, at 7:30 p.m. at Mountain Christian Center in Oakhurst. Mountain Christian Center is located along Highway 49, one mile from its intersection with Highway 41.

Tickets, $10, will be available at the door only, first come, first served.

Donations for silent or live auctions are needed and very much appreciated, says family friend Joe Sharino. He can be reached at 658-7712.

Entertainment for the evening will include the Yosemite High School Chamber Singers and the singing voice of Alison Sharino, a 2001 graduate of YHS who is now in college. Alison played Maria in Yosemite High School’s production of “Sound of Music,” and has sung the national anthem four times at Oakland A’s games.

Additionally, the band “Cover Charge,” a Christian band, and Joe Sharino, one of the fund-raiser’s organizers, will play guitar, piano and sing. Mr. Sharino has a band in the Bay Area that has performed all over the United States.

There will be both live and silent auctions. All proceeds will go to Sam’s Fund at United Security Bank to help defer the costs of hospital care, medicine and time off work for the Rowlett family. “I am amazed and pleased at how generous all the local businesses have been in donating prizes and gifts for the silent and live auctions,” observed Mr. Sharino.

Submitted A portion of the Rowlett family poses for a Christmas photo in 2001. Shown are John and Vickie with three of their six children, Ben, Emily and Sam.

Update on Sam

Sam is now in phase II of treatment for his leukemia, which involves a two-year regimen. Although he is currently in remission, the doctors say if the disease is left untreated at this point, it will definitely come back, says his father John Rowlett.

Because of the type of leukemia, which hides in the spine and the brain, there is a high probability of a bone-marrow transplant in his future, which, his father has learned, is very risky.

In March the family will travel to Seattle to the University of Wash­ington, a research hospital to consult with specialists on the merits of a bone-marrow transplant.

Through the help of former YHS counselor Barry Bartlett, who is a liaison between the high school and Sam, the senior is keeping up with his school work. Fortunately, he has enough credits toward graduation that he only has to complete two more classes.

“The school has been so supportive, his classmates and his teachers,” says Mr. Rowlett. “It has been big, awesome, so surprising how much support Sam and we have been receiving. We don’t have words to say thank-you enough.”

Sam’s mother Vicki continues as a fifth-grade school teacher in Madera to enable Mr. Rowlett to quit his job and become the primary care-taker of his son. “We are feeling God’s strength” through so many people praying for Sam, says Mr. Rowlett. “It is holding us together emotionally. I’d be a basket case if it wasn’t for God.” Sam is the youngest of the Rowletts’ six children.

“People bring meals and check on us, it gives us a lot to strength,” he says. 

 

Personal interview

Following is an interview that Mr. Sharino had with Sam to inform friends and concerned community residents of Sam’s status.

Question: What exactly have you been diagnosed with?

Answer: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia which is a T-cell leukemia.

Q: Symptoms?

A: My symptoms are swollen lymph nodes, swelling of the lungs and chest, shortness of breath.

Q: How serious is it?

A: Very. If I remember correctly, the doctor said when I was diagnosed that the odds are against me, and it’s about a 20-30 percent chance of living.

Q: How did this come about, how did you find out you had this?

A: I was very sick and the doctors thought I had mono. After giving me some antibiotics that didn’t work, they took a blood test and found out that my white blood count was very high (about 90,000 and 4000-10,000 is normal). So I was sent to the hospital for tests.

Q: What is the plan?

A: To keep taking chemotherapy, and if all goes well, with that I can put off going to the research hospital in Seattle until after I graduate.

Q: How do you feel now?

A: Not too bad now that I am in remission. They have started phase II of the chemo treatment, and the chemos they give me now are stronger. I get headaches often, but not too bad. Some of the chemos make me throw up anything that I eat or drink. That lasts about nine hours after chemo. I’ve had many different kinds of chemotherapy.

Q: Radiation?

A: Not now, but probably later.

Q: Tell us about your hobbies.

A: I have played the guitar for five years, and it’s my favorite thing to do. I have sung my whole life, and I love that, too. Those two go quite well together.

Q: Sports?

A: I played football for Yosemite High School. I also love basketball and hockey.

Q: What are your career hopes and your plans for college, etc.?

A: My plan before I got this cancer was to go to a Christian school down in LA and learn the Bible and also learn to be a recording engineer.

Q: Where were you born, raised? A: I was born in Tofield, Alberta, Canada and was raised half of my life there and the other half here in California.

Q: Other talents?

A: I can juggle!

Q: What has gotten you through this tough time?

A: My God and my close friends, Ian Brooks, Casey Lucas, Daniel Talbot and Brittany Sellars.

Q: What’s the prognosis from the doctors, your chances of full recovery?

A: I’m not quite sure; only the doctors at the University of Washington know. I am going for an evaluation on the 17th of March.

Q: Will you attend the Friday, March 7 fund-raiser at Mountain Christian? Speak? Sing a song or two?

A: I hope to attend if my health permits. And maybe I’ll say a word or two; I don’t think I’ll sing though.

Q: What would you like to say to the community?

A: “Thanks for all the prayers and support; all you guys are awesome. Of course having this has its negatives and its positives, but it really puts an amazing outlook on life and what’s important. Without my Savior, Jesus Christ, I would have not made it through the first night and He is the reason why I live so far. He is the reason that if I die I will be with Him in heaven.”