Help is needed to offset the costs of certain treatments, therapy and medical expenses for the triplets that are not covered by insurance. If you wish to donate and help out please use the link above to make your donation safely, and securely through PayPal.
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NATIONAL NIGHT OUT
Fundraiser to help Butler officer's premature triplets
By: Deboarh Walsh
Staff Write - Suburban Trends
BUTLER - Though Aug 3 marks the National Night Out celebration at the Kinnelon Municipal Building, it also marks the kickoff of a fundraising effort for Butler Ptl. Michael Moeller's family.
Ptl. Moeller and his wife, Dawn, became the proud parents of triplets on April 24. Zakary Michael, Tyler Phillip and Matthew Alan were born two-and-a-half months premature. Zakary and Tyler have been diagnosed with Bilateral Periventricular Leukomalacia (Bilateral PVL).
According to information provided by eMedicine and the United Cerebral Palsy Association, "Peri" means near; "ventricular" refers to the ventricles or fluid spaces of the brain, "leukomalacia" is softening of the white matter of the brain. Periventricular leukomalacia is softening of the brain near the ventricles. The softening occurs because brain tissue in this area has died.
PVL is thought to be due to too little blood flow in the womb, at delivery, or after delivery during the first days of life. Usually doctors do not know exactly when this occurred. Diagnosing PVL is important because a significant percentage of surviving premature infants with PVL develop cerebral palsy (CP), intellectual impairment, or visual disturbances. Approximately 60-100 percent of infants with PVL later develop signs of Cerebral Palsy.
Butler Police Sgt. Jay Dean said there is no known sure for PVL or CP. The babies will undergo physical and occupational therapy and alternative treatments not covered by medical insurance such as visits to a hyperbaric chamber. In the chamber, a patient is exposed to increased atmospheric pressure. The increased pressure allows more oxygen to the cells of the body, which is said to have many healing and therapeutic benefits.
Sgt. Dean said Tri-Boro Rotary will raffle off a car. Although the tickets are not yet available, police will start taking orders for tickets at National Night Out, which will be held on Aug. 3 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Kinnelon Municipal Building. Police officers from several towns will participate in National Night Out, which is designed to heighten drug and crime prevention awareness and generate support for anticrime efforts in a fun atmosphere. Food giveaways are part of the event.
Carol Ashley of Tri-Boro Rotary said the Rotary will be raffling off a 2‹5 Pontiac Grand Prix from Royal Pontiac in Butler, where Ptl. Moeller had worked. Tickets will be $100. The police are also planning a beefsteak for Sept. 24. The Rotary will assist at the beefsteak.
In addition to the babies being diagnosed with PVL, approximately a year ago, Dawn Moeller was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Dawn said so far that MS has caused her vision problems and tingling in the arms.
Dawn said her sons were diagnosed with PVL after a CAT scan revealed cysts on Tyler's and Zakary's brain. Currently, the boys look like healthy babies and have yet to display any symptoms. At birth Tyler weighed 2 lbs. 11 oz.; Zakary, 3 lbs. 6 oz.; and Matthew, 3 lbs. 11 oz. Today, Tyler weighs in at 10 lbs; Zakary 12 lbs. 5 oz; and Matthew, 10 lbs. 5 oz.
Dawn said though the boys appear to be fine at this time, the doctors are watching them closely. They will not be diagnosed with CP unless they experience developmental problems such as an inability to crawl or walk, she said.
Doctors have advised the Moeller's that even if the babies do not develop CP, they could experience certain neurological problems that may be sever. The state Department of Health will supply the boys with speech, physical and occupational therapy.
The Moeller's will take the boys to Brewster, NY for treatment in a hyperbaric chamber, which is used to treat brain injuries. Although the medical community is apparently divided on the effectiveness of the use of this type of therapy and it is not covered by insurance, the therapy cannot hurt the children, she indicated.
"Hopefully, it will help them walk, talk and develop more normally and increase their abilities," said Dawn.
The Moeller triplets, Zakary, Tyler and Matthew were born two and a half months premature on April 24. Zakary and Tyler have been diagnosed with Bilateral Periventricular Leukomalacia. The Butler Police Department and Tri-Boro Rotary have begun a fundraising effort on behalf of the Moeller family.
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