David Vetter, affectionately known as the boy in the bubble, was born with Severe Combined

Immune Deficiency (SCID), one of the most severe types of primary immunodeficiency
disease. At the time of his birth in 1971, a bone marrow transplant from an exact matched
donor was the only cure for SCID, but there was no match available in Davids family.

For 12 years, David captured the worlds attention as he lived in protected environments to
maintain relatively germ-free surroundings at Texas Childrens Hospital. Speaking for her
family, including Davids father and sister, his mother Carol Ann Demaret explains, As
parents of an afflicted child, the only thing we had in our control was to see that David
received the best possible care. We trusted our doctors. We were grateful for the bubble; the
bubble was the only treatment option available for David at the time. If it hadnt been for the
bubble, we would not have had him for 12 years. Our goals were to keep David safe, bring
the outside in and make sure he felt loved.

Davids life showed courage, patience and understanding. He accepted the unique
circumstances of his life, but waited to find the way to come out of his bubble. We prepared
him to be able to socialize and eventually join the outside world. Science was protecting
David, this was never an experiment.

David had friends, was schooled at home and the hospital by teachers, and played and fought
with his sister just like any little brother. He was involved in all aspects of their home life.
Carol Ann fondly remembers Halloweens when David, dressed in a costume in the bubble,
handed candy out to other trick-or-treaters through the rubber gloves.

They were careful to keep him away from the attention in the media, but once when he was
eight or nine, David saw his picture in the newspaper.

The next day, he told me that he was a star, Carol Ann lovingly remembers, I didnt know
what he was referring to and told him that, yes indeed he was a star because he lights up my
life. David quickly corrected me and told me that he was a star because his picture was in the
paper the day before and stars dont have to clean up toys. I told him that his picture wasnt in
the paper today, so today you clean up your bubble!

Sadly in 1984, four months after receiving a bone marrow transfusion, David died from
lymphomaa cancer later determined to have been introduced into his system by the
Epstein-Barr virus.

Carol Ann carries on Davids legacy today through her work with IDF as a long-time
member of the Foundations Board of Trustees.

Carol Ann believes, and science has stated, that because of what was learned from Davids
gallant life and death, many children with SCID have since been diagnosed early, received
bone marrow transplants and now lead healthy lives. In her words, David was a great
blessing to our family and to the world.

Newborn Screening and SCID

Early identification of SCID can make possible life-saving intervention before infections
occur. All types of PI, not just SCID, stand to benefit from early diagnosis as research
advances. Click here for more information about newborn screening.

IDF SCID Newborn Screening Campaign

Currently, many states have added SCID to their newborn screening panel, and our goal is to
have all states add SCID. You can learn more about the IDF SCID Newborn Screening
Campaign and become a successful advocate. Click here for more information.

IDF SCID Initiative

The IDF SCID Initiative, comprised of community members with specialized interest and
knowledge specific of SCID, is dedicated to education, awareness, and diagnosis the disease.
Click here for more information.

Daftar Pustaka

https://primaryimmune.org/living-pi-explaining-pi-others/story-david

https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/bubble-boy-40-years-later-look-back-at-heartbreaking-
case/3/