Holmes has been unable to teach since Jan. 12 because of his health condition and will not return to his classroom for the rest of this school year. He will soon begin chemotherapy treatment and work with specialists at Mayo Clinic as part of his care, according to his family and friends.

POEMS, which stands for symptoms of the condition — polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal protein and skin changes — usually affects people between 50 and 60 years old, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Without treatment, POEMS can become life-threatening, making early diagnosis and treatment vital for survival. Symptoms include weak legs, trouble breathing, a larger spleen or liver and skin changes, according to the clinic’s website.

The disorder is so rare that Holmes is considered to be patient No. 100 diagnosed with the condition, according to Laurie Isenberg, Holmes’ friend who launched an online fund­raiser last Thursday, selling green “Darby” bracelets to help cover his medical expenses.

Holmes

Darby is the name of Holmes’ Shriner clown persona, Isenberg said, adding Holmes was her son’s English teacher and director of the high school drama club’s musicals.

“It’s heartbreaking to know that he can’t participate in any of those things because of his immune system at this particular point in time,” Isenberg said. “His immune system is really kind of not functioning for him at all, so he has to be secluded.”

Within a couple hours of launching the fundraiser, more than 150 bracelets were sold, she said, noting some of the bracelets were shipped to Holmes’ former students in states such as Virginia and New Hampshire. One bracelet was even shipped to one of Holmes’ more recent students, who is currently in California, she said.

A number of Tyrone Area High School staff members have also purchased Darby bracelets and are wearing them in school to support Holmes and his family, Superintendent Leslie Estep said, adding the district will assist Holmes and his family in any way that it can.

“We are cheering him on, and we are hopeful that his treatment will bring him to a state of maintenance of the disorder and a return to his classroom next school year,” Estep said.

Darby bracelets are also being sold this week as part of Tyrone’s Irish Heritage Days event, Isenberg said, noting she will be selling them for $5 each at 5 p.m. Thursday at the Church of the Good Shepherd during the church’s Irish dinner event.

“They’re small bracelets with a big purpose,” Isenberg said, adding she will be selling them Friday at The Brew Coffee and Tap, beginning at 5 p.m. and lasting until after the lighting of the shamrock in downtown Tyrone.

People interested in purchasing a bracelet have also been encouraged to message Isenberg on Facebook. Isenberg said she will make arrangements to meet with people or drop the bracelets off at a mutual pickup location.

In addition to Isenberg’s fundraiser, she said Bake Shop Bakes is donating money from its annual pie day fundraiser to Holmes and his family. Pies will be sold March 14, but people should call ahead to order, she said.

Domino’s Pizza of Tyrone is planning a pizza benefit Wednesday, March 18, for the Holmes family, Isenberg said.

Holmes said he’s been overwhelmed with the love, support and “true sense of community I’ve felt” since his diagnosis became public.

“I never would have dreamed there would be this sort of response,” Holmes said. “It means a great deal to me, to my family, to know that we aren’t fighting alone (and) that we have an amazing support system behind us.”

Holmes said his diagnosis was a long process that began two years ago with neuropathy in his feet. Doctors found bone lesions that covered his whole body and then weight loss and other factors eventually clicked together as POEMS, he said.

Holmes, who has been a teacher for almost 20 years, said he misses his students, but having their support fills his heart and makes him weep.

“I’ve had many former students reach out with heartfelt messages,” Holmes said. “Some of them have families of their own now, and they still find time to reach out to their high school English teacher to help him. I honestly don’t think I could have done this without them.”

Although he misses his students, being out for the rest of the school year gives him a better chance to be there throughout the next school year and many more after that, Holmes said.

Mirror Staff Writer Matt Churella is at 814-946-7520.