The strongest person in the room is five-year-old Jack Palms

Just a few months ago, life looked very different for 5-year-old Jack Palms.

Ask his parents to describe him, and they’ll tell you about a little boy who loves Legos, football, reading, and playing guitar. They’ll tell you about the kid who tackles his dad around the house, laughs with everyone he meets, and approaches life with endless curiosity.

Before April, there was nothing to suggest that anything was wrong.

Then everything changed.

What started as unexplained bruising quickly became every parent’s worst nightmare. Jack was diagnosed with a rare bone marrow failure disorder. Just before his fifth birthday, he suffered life-threatening brain hemorrhages that required multiple emergency surgeries.

His family spent weeks at Hasbro Children’s Hospital, followed by months of rehabilitation, unsure what the future would hold.

How You Can Help

If you’re between 18 and 35 years old, you can help by requesting a free at-home cheek swab kit through SwabForJack.com or by attending one of several upcoming community swab events listed on the website. The process takes just a few minutes, and even if you’re not a match for Jack, you could one day help save someone else’s life.

Today, Jack is still fighting.

And somehow, he’s become the one giving everyone else strength.

After suffering a stroke, Jack had to relearn many of the things most of us take for granted, including speaking, walking, and using his right arm and hand. Today, those milestones are slowly returning. He recently stood on his own, is walking with assistance, is speaking more every day, and recently squeezed his right hand for the first time since his stroke.

Every milestone is a reminder of how far he’s come. But according to his father, Dave, the most inspiring part isn’t just Jack’s progress.

It’s his attitude.

After his occupational therapist taught him an exercise to help retrain his hand, Jack decided to make it part of his daily routine. He now practices it on his own, counting every repetition because he wants to get stronger.

“He treats therapy just like he used to treat school. He doesn’t always want to go, but once he’s there, he doesn’t want to leave.”

That’s who Jack is.

In many ways…

The strongest person in the room is five years old.

While Jack continues making incredible progress recovering from his brain injury, another challenge remains.

His rare bone marrow failure disorder has continued to progress, and doctors are preparing for a stem cell transplant at Boston Children’s Hospital. Finding the best possible donor gives Jack the best possible chance.

The best thing we can do for him is get him a 10 out of 10 match.”

That’s why his family launched Swab for Jack in partnership with Gift of Life.

If you’re 18 to 35 years old, you can request a free at-home cheek swab kit by visiting SwabForJack.com. If you’d rather participate in person, several community swab events are also listed on the website.

The process is simple, painless, and only takes a few minutes.

If you’re a match for Jack, you could help save his life.

If you’re not, you’ll remain on the registry and could one day save someone else’s.

Already, more than 1,100 people have joined the effort, with community swab drives taking place throughout Rhode Island.

Dave says one of the things that has carried his family through this journey has been the incredible support from people across the state.

I really feel blessed to be a lifelong Rhode Islander. There’s such a sense of community here. People we’ve never met have reached out, shared our story, and asked how they can help.”

That sense of community is exactly what has helped carry the Palms family through some of the most difficult months of their lives.

When one family needs help, Rhode Islanders have a way of showing up. Sometimes that means organizing a fundraiser. Sometimes it’s dropping off a meal or sharing a story with friends and family.

And sometimes, it starts with something as simple as a cheek swab.

If you’ve been wondering how you can make a difference, this is your opportunity.

Visit SwabForJack.com to request your free swab kit, view upcoming community swab drives, or learn more about Jack’s journey.

One small act from you could become the miracle another family has been praying for.

About the Author: Joe Russo is the Founder & CEO of J&R Marketing and a contributor to What’s Going On in Rhode Island, where he enjoys sharing stories that bring Rhode Islanders together and make a positive impact in the community.