Stem cell transplant may be near for Shawnee girl

A girl who has become the state’s powerhouse spokeswoman for bone marrow donation is in the hospital awaiting a stem cell transplant.

Tallie Anderson, 11, of Shawnee started chemotherapy Friday to prepare for the procedure. Her father, Roger Anderson, said the transplant could be done by week’s end.

The transplant is being performed at OU Medical Center, which has become Tallie’s home away from home since she was diagnosed with aplastic anemia almost two years ago. Tallie had not been able to find a match with a bone marrow donor quickly, which is a problem for many people of American Indian descent, like her.

Tallie and the Oklahoma Blood Institute launched a public awareness campaign to make people aware of the need for American Indian marrow donors. Hundreds of Oklahomans responded, including University of Oklahoma head football coach Bob Stoops.

Tallie’s match came in November from a donated umbilical cord.

Life at the hospital

Anderson said his daughter undergoes chemotherapy at night and fills her days at the hospital with "Hannah Montana” shows, sketching and writing letters to friends.

Tallie will be keeping up with her fourth-grade studies through homeschool instruction arranged with her teacher, Melody Winn.

Will Rogers Elementary Principal John Wilson said her classmates are constantly inquiring about her, and have been writing letters to her.

"All of us are keeping her in our prayers,” Wilson said. "She’s a special girl, and is in our hearts.”