Friends support hospitalized Yosemite student

Sam Rowlett diagnosed with leukemia

Lacey Rees - lrees@sierra star.com

 

A special prayer vigil and worship concert will be held on Saturday [January 25] for Yosemite High School student Sam Rowlett, who has recently been diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

The service, for everyone in the community and for all ages, will take place at the Sierra Vista Presbyterian Church in Oakhurst at 8 p.m. 

His band will be playing at the concert and the Sierra Vista Youth Group will sell nachos, pizza and beverages. There will be a video room for people to record messages to Sam.  

All proceeds will go to the “Funds for Sam Rowlett” account that has been set up at United Security Bank for the Rowlett family.

Sam, 18, is a senior at Yosemite. He is currently in Fresno Community Hospital where he is receiving intensive chemotherapy treatment (known as induction therapy) for the next five weeks.

While Sam is not yet to a point where he needs blood, he may need it later. There are three blood drives scheduled, and donations of blood may be made in his name.

On Monday, February 3, a drive sponsored by Sierra Tel Business Systems will be held in the Old Mill Village Shopping Center.

On Wednesday, March 19, a blood drive will be held in the YHS gym from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. specifically for Sam.

Another will be held at Sierra Telephone on March 20. Time is not yet known.

 

YHS football player

Sam was a starter on the YHS championship football team this past fall. He played in the positions of receiver and linebacker. He is also a member of the school’s Chamber Singers.

He also leads worship for the Sierra Vista Youth Group and plays worship music at churches throughout the Mountain Area. 

Sam is the youngest of six children of John and Vickie Rowlett of Oakhurst. Sam’s brother Ben and sisters Emily, Jill, and Ann all graduated from Yosemite High School. Ben and Emily live here in Oakhurst, Jill lives in Oregon with her family, Ann lives in Idaho with her family and the oldest sister Nikko, lives in Canada with her family. 

While Sam is in Fresno Community Hospital the goal of the induction therapy is to reduce the leukemia cells down to undetectable levels, which is then considered remission. Once in remission, he will begin consolidation therapy, which can last up to six months. This therapy can be accomplished from home with routine out-patient visits to the hospital for further testing. The purpose of this therapy is to prevent a relapse of the leukemia. The final process of this difficult road is maintenance therapy that may continue for up to two years to ensure that the leukemia cells are gone.

“The entire Rowlett family are strong Christians, and they have placed their trust and faith in their Lord. They are a remarkable family and extremely close. They also know that thousands and thousands of people are praying for Sam and this knowledge gives them a peace and comfort that sustains them,” says Pam McMillan, a close family friend.

  One Bible verse has become especially meaningful to the family these past few days, shares John Rowlett, Sam’s father. That verse is Psalms 118:17, “I shall not die but live and declare the works of the Lord.” 

We are so thankful for the enormous outpouring of support we have been receiving,” says Mr. Rowlett. “To feel the care of so many neighbors and friends gives us strength!”

 To relieve the family from being overburdened with phone calls, concerned friends can receive daily updates on Sam by calling 683-1147. This message will be updated daily by a family member to let everyone know how Sam is doing.

There is also a web page at http://groups.msn.com/samsprayerpage/homepage  where information about Sam and the community activities scheduled are posted.   

For those who would like to help in other ways please contact Pam McMillan at 683-5441 or cell phone 676-5441. She is coordinating various services for the family such as meals, transportation, special arrangements and fund-raising.