New Jersey community rallies around 2-year old boy with rare blood disorder

PARAMUS (WABC) -- A community in New Jersey is coming together to help a little boy who faces a very rare blood disorder.[br /][br /]2-year old A.J. Vigliotti battles Cooley's Anemia. It requires him to have regular blood transfusions and can lead to life-threatening complications.[br /][br /]At his young age, A.J. has already endured more than many could imagine.[br /][br /]"This shouldn't be normal, this shouldn't be routine for any child. I would do anything as a dad to take it away," said his father Joe Vigliotti.[br /][br /]Diagnosed with a rare genetic blood disorder called Cooley's Anemia, his little body isn't able to make viable red blood cells.[br /][Ads /][br /]Still with a constant and contagious smile, he visits Hackensack University Medical Center every month for blood transfusions.[br /][br /]"People who see him say you know never know something is wrong with him. He's the happiest kid," said Joe.[br /][br /]"Look at him, he's thriving and it's because of them, it's because of these doctors and the nurses," said A.J.'s mother Lisa.[br /][br /]And with the support of his loving parents, they're hopeful a cure will be found.[br /][br /]According to the CDC, A.J. is one of roughly a thousand people with Cooley's Anemia, which gives you a better picture of just how rare this disorder is.[br /][br /]"With enough research we hope that something like gene therapy is treating patients with thalassemia," said Dr. Frances Flug of the Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Department.[br /][br /]While Dr. Flug and her team of specialists are confident A.J. will lead a long and healthy life with continued treatment, his parents are doing their part too, raising awareness and money for medical research.[br /][br /]"If you hear about it, try to help see what you can do to help spread the word," said Lisa.[br /][br /]On Sunday they're hosting a care walk and blood drive for A.J. at Van Saun Park in Paramus, where they hope to not only raise thousands for the Cooley's Anemia Foundation but also inspire hope for others.[br /][br /]For more information, please visit: [url HREF="[br /]http://www.tinyurl.com/carewalkTeamAJ" TARGET="[br /]http://www.tinyurl.com/carewalkTeamAJ" REL="[br /]http://www.tinyurl.com/carewalkTeamAJ"][br /]http://www.tinyurl.com/carewalkTeamAJ[/url][br /]