On March 15, 2011, bone marrow was harvested from Carla Cadet and transplanted into Mike. While there has been discomfort and some issues for Mike that are not uncommon in these transplants, he is recovering well and hopes to be able to go home soon. The family is grateful for the support and prayers that they have received.

Things are both exciting and anxious for the Cadet family these days.

Gustave has started a full-time job at a resort hotel and is doing well. He has a driver license, used car and car insurance, so is able to get to work and get about much more easily. He drove a taxi in Haiti so knows how to drive, but people drive much faster here in the U.S. where the roads are paved and smooth.

Mike has been in the hospital in preparation for a bone marrow transplant. His sisters, both donor matches, were tested to see who is the best match. His older sister Carla was selected to be the donor. As soon as all the required medical conditions for Mike are just right, the transplant will take place. With the girls in school, Mike in the hospital and Gustave working full time, it is very busy for the family. They are tired but thankful for their many blessings. They thank God every day for all He has provided, and they appreciate all the support they have received.

Mike Cadet, who is being treated for leukemia

The Cadet kids had a new experience recently — trick-or-treating on Halloween! What fun for them.

One of Gustave Cadet's paintings

The whole family is doing well, getting tutoring in English, going to school, and doing all that it takes to become self-sufficient.

Gustave, the father, continues to create beautiful cards as well as paintings, such as the one at left, that he sells to support his family.  He will be at PPC's Holiday Boutique on Saturday, Nov. 20, with his cards and paintings.  Stop by to meet him and see his work.

Parents Gustave and Michelette Cadet are very grateful to be reunited and extend their thanks and prayers to everyone, including the many people they have not met, who have worked to help them and prayed for Mike. They have proof God heard us! Gustave recently traveled to New Mexico at the request of Catholic Charities to attend a conference and tell their story.

Mike, age 4, continues to be at home and is getting stronger. His hair has grown back and he spends as much time as possible riding his brand new bike with training wheels (donated by a PPC member), even sleeping with it next to his bed at night! He goes to the hospital clinic for weekly medication through a port in his arm and blood work. Unfortunately, his platelet count is lower than it should be, so that is being closely monitored. His immune system is still compromised, preventing the family from taking him to public places such as school, church or shopping, but he enjoys his sisters' company.

Gustave is still looking for a job. He and Michelette both have Work Permits, but as we all know, jobs are hard to find right now, especially with the language barrier. Another PPC member has generously agreed to tutor the family in English one night a week, which they are very excited about. Once his English is good enough, Gustave hopes to get his drivers license. He is also continuing to create beautiful cards with Haitian scenes and has started a number of orders for Christmas cards for PPC members. He is also an oil painter and is going to begin painting Haitian scenes on canvas (supplies also donated).

The girls, 11-year-old Carla and 9-year-old Djenika, are attending a nearby school where they are enrolled in the English Language Learners program that provides a part time interpreter. They love school and are thrilled to be making new American friends. Michelette and other parents from their apartment complex walk with the children to school in the morning, and meet them for the walk home in the afternoon.

If you would like more information about ways in which we can support this family, please contact Holly Fechtmeyer at holly@fechtmeyer.com or 480.350.7905.

Mike Cadet, left, enjoys a game of soccer with friends in the Valley.

In coordination with other agencies, Pinnacle’s Haiti Initiative Team has been extending a helping hand to a Haitian family whose 4–year–old child Mike was evacuated to the United States with his father Gustave following the earthquake.

Mike is being treated for leukemia at Phoenix Children’s Hospital and needs a bone marrow transplant.

The rest of the family, Gustave’s wife and two younger children, are in Port–au–Prince living in very poor conditions; Gustave is staying in a furnished apartment in Phoenix arranged by Catholic Social Services.

Gustave Cadet and his son Mike

An amazing number of people have stepped forward to help this family, who speak French and Creole, in a variety of ways. French speakers have visited with Gustave and helped him navigate the complexities here. Phone service and Internet access have been arranged so Gustave can communicate with people in Haiti. Mike has enjoyed a “play date” with one of our families. Both Gustave and Mike are trying to learn English.

Efforts are being made to get the rest of the family here quickly because siblings present the best opportunity for bone marrow compatibility, plus Gustave fears for their safety and the family longs to be reunited. Through various high–level contacts, arrangements are being made to procure passports and Humanitarian Parole visas for the family.

Mike’s doctors and nurses, the hospital social worker, Catholic Social Services and PPC members have arranged for airfare, are working on sponsors for the family here, are expediting the process to get visas, are managing the logistics in Haiti and here, are helping with food and necessities here, and are providing much–needed emotional support and caring to this faithful Christian family.

This is literally a life–saving mission for the family, and a demonstration of the power of care and prayer.