Previously healthy student Jhyrvé Sears spent months in pain. Her friends watched her condition worsen daily as she suffered from hip pain, frequent falls and uncontrollable tremors. Her mother, Karen, took her from one doctor’s office to another.

“When she was getting sick, I felt scared,” said 16-year-old Caroline McMillan, a friend of Jhyrvé and fellow student at Pleasant Hill Adventist Academy. “What’s happening to my friend? First she couldn’t use her right hand; then her left hand started trembling. I wondered, what’s going on? But she kept giving it her best.”

After many misdiagnoses, the Sears family turned to the children’s hospital in Oakland, Calif. The neurologist there sent a sample of Jhyrvé’s blood to a lab in Philadelphia, one of two places in the country that performs blood DNA testing. Ten days later, a specialist in Philadelphia replied: Jhyrvé had the life-threatening genetic disorder called Krabbe Disease.

“Krabbe Disease is a rare genetic disease caused by a mutation in the gene that codes for an enzyme called galactocerebrosidase,” said Dr. Joanne Kurtzberg of the Duke University Medical Center. “Patients with the juvenile form of the disease are often presented with problems keeping their balance, tremors or, occasionally, seizures.” Eventually symptoms progress and can lead to death.

“I felt helpless, wishing I could do something about her disease and not being able to help,” said 14-year-old Jillian Spencer, another friend.

The community wasn’t about to watch the family go through this alone. Jhyrvé’s parents, Paul and Karen, had served for many years in their church and school. Karen worked as a leader in various areas and as a teacher’s aide at the school. Paul, a computer programmer, used his skills to upgrade technology for the school.

Within 10 days of their daughter’s diagnosis, their son, Lucas, was in trusted hands, the house and insurance details were settled, and Jhyrvé was on her way to Duke University for treatment — a cord blood transplant using stem cells.

“God miraculously opened the doors,” said Karen, reacting to the news that a donor was found so quickly.

Yet many challenges still faced them, with the impact of the cure nearly as serious as their daughter’s disease. Chemotherapy removed Jhyrvé’s own blood marrow, which in turn destroyed her immune system and ability to produce platelets and red and white blood cells. The new stem cells were then pumped into her superior vena cava artery.

“It’s like she’s a baby again,” said Karen. “Her immune system is gone. If she gets a cold, she is dead. She has to start her baby shots all over again.” Daily, 27 medications and massive doses of steroids pump into Jhyrvé’s body. Pain, fevers, rashes, vomiting and breathing problems make sleep elusive.

Having been connected with Jhyrvé and her family for more than 13 years, her church and school community immediately recognized the family’s needs. Putting plans in action, they’re working hard to raise money for her $80,000+ in medical expenses not covered by insurance and the thousands of dollars needed for weekly prescription costs. Also, the Sears’ home is old and doesn’t meet the requirements of sterile isolation for Jhyrvé. Her community is determined, by the grace of God, to save their friend and reunite the family.

Realizing the great financial need, her school started fundraisers. Each classroom had a bottle to fill up with money. The most came from Jhyrvé’s own junior class with over $500. At a concert, the students sold food. Church members then joined with their donations, with many taking their own bottles to work in the hopes of collecting more money for Jhyrvé. Before the end of the school year, representatives sent $10,000 to the family.

In July, church members held a carnival and raised over a $1,000 more, and in September, volunteers plan to sell tickets to a benefit dinner and game events with all proceeds going to help this family with their costs.

Money, however, isn’t their only goal. Jhyrvé’s friends also believe it’s important to keep in touch with their isolated friend.

“Jhyrvé is all cooped up, and we care about her,” said McMillan. “Making Jhyrvé’s life better is important to all of us. It shows how we are all pulling together to help in any way we can.”

Teachers placed a web cam in the school office where students could come by and see and speak to Jhyrvé when her condition allowed. At fundraisers and events, organizers took pictures to send to her at the hospital. Church members e-mail her with messages, some even communicating each day before they go to work.

However, because they need to raise another $70,000, Jhyrvé’s friends are reaching out to people outside the Adventist community and are searching for new friends to add support for their special cause — their friend. “I’m going to do what it takes to help her,” said fellow 18-year-old student Hayley Wallace. “Please, if everyone helps, we can reach our goal.”

The Children’s Organ Transplant Association is a nonprofit organization that is helping the Sears family raise the money that will pay for their travel expenses to and from the transplant center, daily living expenses, and for the medication and ongoing medical support Jhyrvé will need for the rest of her life. COTA holds the money for her indefinitely, and 100 percent of all money raised goes directly into Jhyrvé’s account.

“If every Adventist gave $1.00 to help Jhyrvé, we would have all we need,” said McMillan. “We could fix her house so she can stay there safely and maybe have her friends come visit.”

Her other friends feel the same way. “It’s important to me for everyone to help her because she is one of our own,” said Spencer. “I want to help, because everyone deserves a chance to have a good life.”

Log on to www.caringbridge.com to send Jhyrvé a message of encouragement or to find out how to make a donation toward her medical expenses. Go to “Visit a CaringBridge Page” on their website, selecting “ca” for California and typing in “jhyrve” (all lowercase).