A heart of 4-H green and gold

A 12-year-old Clearwater youth with a heart of gold - and green - demonstrated the true meaning of the 4-H pledge during the Antelope County 4-H Premium Auction, held Aug. 6.

While Landyn Coffey and his blue-ribbon pig took a lap around the show ring, Coffey knew he pledged his head to clearer thinking and his hands to larger service.

Coffey smiled as he turned the last corner to set his barrow. As the auctioneer urged bidders to go higher, Coffey pledged the auction proceeds to improve someone's health.

His aunt, Jasmine Hammock, of Clearwater, would be the beneficiary of the $1,500.

"I decided to donate (my earnings) to my aunt because she has cancer and I want to help her out."

Hammock moved to Clearwater in January and, on May 23, married her husband, Seth.

By the first part of July, the Hammocks learned they were expecting a baby.

"I kept throwing up, figured it was morning sickness," Hammock said.

But the queasiness did not subside and Hammock began noticing bruises on her body. Then, a sore throat ensued. Antibiotics did not provide relief.

Her sister, Sarah Coffey, suggested she seek medical attention.

After a trip to the emergency room, medical personnel told her they thought she had some type of blood disease. Next, she was en route, by ambulance, to Omaha.

Following blood and bone marrow testing, Hammock was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia.

After the initial shock wore off, Hammock decided, "I can't change it. I'm going to make the best of it."

AML is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. According to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, AML develops when DNA of a developing stem cell in the bone marrow is damaged. The damage is known as an acquired mutation.

The damaged cell becomes a leukemic cell, multiplying into billions of cells known as leukemic blasts, which slow or stop production of normal blood cells.

The result: a low number of healthy red and white blood cells and platelets. Symptoms vary for each.

Those who have a low red blood cell count have anemia and may experience fatigue, shortness of breath during regular physical activity, headaches, and lightheadedness, dizziness or fainting.

Neutropenia - or low white blood cell count - typically includes fever and frequent infections.

Thrombocytopenia, or low platelet count, symptoms may include brusing, petechiae, or small red spots on the skin, prolonged bleeding from minor cuts, nosebleeds and bleeding gums.

Anyone diagnosed with AML may experience weight loss, discomfort in bones or joints, loss of appetite or abdominal swelling, due to an enlarged spleen.

Doctors outlined a treatment course for Hammock. She was told "the baby would not survive chemotherapy treatments."

Hammock traveled to Omaha, every other day, to receive fertility treatments.

"I want to make sure I can have a baby when I get older," she said. "After going through chemo, I only have a 20% chance of having a baby."

"Now they have the fertility stuff over with so I just have to go for treatment."

Chemotherapy will take place one time a month, one week at a time.

According to Hammock, she will require a stem cell transplant. During that time, she will need to stay in Omaha for four months, "in case something goes wrong."

Her sister is not a match.

"There are other donors in the system that may be a full match," she said.

She realizes, no matter the type of treatment, "this will be a long, drawn-out process." Hammock credits her support system, including her husband, the Coffey family, her mother-in-law, Shelly Hammock, of Elgin, and father-in-law, Scott Hammock, of Scottsbluff, for helping navigate her medical care.

Prior to the 4-H premium auction, Shelly Coffeey contacted Hammock about Landyn's plan, "so I wasn't a mess when I got there."

"I still was," she said. "He was raised right."

Landyn Coffey is a four-year, independent 4-H member. This year, he showed swine and earned a blue and a red ribbon.

According to Landyn, a lot of people said, "Congratulations. I'm proud of you."

After a pause, Landyn said, "I want her to know I love her and I will be there for her."

It's a pledge he believes is worth making.