2 years after transplant, teen treated to youth hunt
BUTLER TWP — Adam Snow of Butler Township, whose life was saved almost two years ago with an emergency liver transplant, was one of two invited guests at the annual Pheasants Forever 630 Chapter of North Central Pennsylvania Youth Pheasant Hunt.
The event was Sept. 13-14 at the Queenstown Lodge near East Brady.
Linda Snow, his mother, said Dick Bodenhorn, the group’s president, contacted her, telling her he heard about Adam and wanted him to participate.
“This was first I had ever heard of this organization; however, it will not be the last,” Snow said.
The event was filled with hunting, fishing, shooting, all-terrain vehicle riding and eating.
“Adam enjoyed a weekend of everything he loves,” Snow said.
Adam, 16, received archery hunting gear and a gift certificate for Cabela’s to put toward a trolling motor for bass tournaments. Snow said Adam plans on attending the group’s youth hunt this month.
Adam was an invited guest along with David Cain of Bedford, who has an inoperable brain tumor.
The Pheasants Forever Youth Outdoor Endowment was created to help take youth with illnesses on outdoor excursions.
Bodenhorn said the group takes applications for the annual event and selects two youths to participate based on their stories. He said the two boys liked the event.
“I think they both had a pretty good time,” Bodenhorn said.
In October 2012, Adam started feeling sick. He was admitted to the hospital when he became jaundiced, and doctors diagnosed him with liver failure. He slipped into a coma and was given hours to live on Nov. 9.
His family searched to find a liver donor via social and traditional media and a donor was found just in time. Adam was released from the hospital Nov. 20.
In December of that year, Adam was admitted to the hospital when a test found that he had elevated liver enzymes, a sign of a rejection. He went into surgery to correct the problem.
Snow said Adam is monitored on a monthly basis at UPMC Children’s Hospital and has blood drawn every month at Butler Memorial Hospital. He continues to take medication daily.
“At this time, we are all happy to report his health is good,” Snow said.
