By SUE ELLEN ROSS – Staff Reporter

ST. ROSE – Although Lisa Carroll has been battling leukemia for a long time, she seems to be winning the war.

And she didn’t have to fight alone.

A bone marrow drive and numerous blood drives have been held in her name.

The family has also received many donations to the Lisa Carroll fund at Hibernia Bank.

Although a bone marrow match wasn’t forthcoming during that drive last fall, a match was eventually found in a child’s umbilical cord. Lisa then received a bone marrow transplant Jan. 23 at the Children’s Hospital in New Orleans, and is now recovering.

But the battle is not quite over.

Lisa needs continual platelets and blood, according to St. Rose Elementary School teacher Alisha Reine.

Reine assisted with coordinating the drives that were held at the school.

The most recent blood drive took place on Feb. 16. Thirty-three people attended, 29 were able to donate.

“Lisa is doing as well as expected,” said Reine. “She even came to visit her class last week.”

She had to carry a backpack with medical items inside, and also wore a respirator mask. That didn’t deter the enjoyment of seeing her classmates again.

“She was so excited to see the kids. She talked through the respirator, and even participated in art class,” said Reine.

The fourth-grader will keep up with her class by utilizing the homebound study program, the teacher added.

It may be a while until Lisa is able to return to school, but with home instruction, she will be able to stay with her classmates on the same grade level.

The future is looking good, as the determined little girl and her family continue to be optimistic.

“Lisa still needs continual platelets and blood. She has to visit the hospital two to three times a week for this,” said Reine. “But overall, she is doing great.”

She added that Lisa and her family are appreciative of the continuous support from the community, both with the bone marrow/blood drives and donations.

Monetary donations can be made to The Lisa Carroll Fund at any branch of Hibernia Bank.