By Steve Svetovich
Connor Penasck is one of the sweetest six-year-olds you would want to meet.
And despite his very young age and zest for normal child play, Connor has endured quite a lot of health issues and hospital stays.
He was diagnosed at age three with Very Early Onset Inflammatory Bowel Disease (VEOIBD) Ulcerative Colitis.
Over the course of the past two years, his disease has progressed, and it has been a struggle to find the right course of treatment for him.
Son of Jason and Danielle Pensack, Connor’s parents often found themselves feeling helpless. After one challenging hospital stay, they decided to create a foundation in Connor’s name that allowed the family to spread awareness about VEOIBD and put forth fundraising efforts to raise money for needed research at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. It is there where Connor is fortunate enough to receive excellent care from doctors who are second to none in their field.
Connor’s mom is the curriculum coordinator for the Dunmore School District. Born and raised in Dunmore, she is a former fourth and fifth grade teacher at the Dunmore Elementary Center.
The second annual Connor Cup will be held Saturday, July 13, at Pine Hills Country Club. Last year the Connor Pensack Foundation raised $15,839 through this fundraiser. The hope is that this year’s tournament will be even bigger and better as more funds are raised for continued research.
Inflammatory bowel disease is the fastest growing autoimmune disorder for children younger than age five.
Each year, the Center for Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia treats more than 1,800 young patients who suffer from abdominal pain, intestinal inflammation and other symptoms of this often-debilitating disease.
The past few years produced an explosion of knowledge about the genetics of Inflammatory Bowel Disease and expanded treatment options. Today, expert gastroenterologists, geneticists and researchers work together to evaluate each child’s DNA and microbiome with the goal of developing truly personalized medicine, Walk for Hope funds these discoveries taking us one step closer to a cure.
Connor’s mom said he was originally diagnosed at the Geisinger Danville Children’s Hospital and then again at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “He was having loose stools 12 to 15 times a day,” she said. “There was blood and mucus in his stools daily.
“It all happened in the blink of an eye on a Monday night. He woke up out of a dead sleep with a high fever shaking and mumbling. After a long and uncomfortable night, we knew he needed immediate medical attention. Since then, there have been many stays at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
“He has good and bad days now. Some days are better than others. We try to make the best of the situation.”
Connor, 6, is in kindergarten at South Abington Elementary School.
“His school is very accommodating. His teachers are in constant communication with us.”
Connor’s mom credited Dr. Judith Kelsen for her research work of VEOIBD at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Connor was recently chosen as an ambassador for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelpia.
The Walk for Hope fundraiser will take place Sunday, June 9, at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.
Those wishing to donate to the Connor Pensack Foundation can mail checks to: Connor Pensack Foundation, 503 Hickory Lane, South Abington Township 18411 or directly to First National Community Bank, 269 E, Grove St., Clarks Green, PA 18411.
Proceeds from Connor Pensack Foundation fundraisers will be donated to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia VEO-IBD research.
