IQAir on Extreme Makeover

The Sears Family

For many people mold, bacteria, and allergens in their homes can be harmful – for Jhyrve Sears they could be fatal.

A year ago, Jhyrve Sears, 17, life changed when she was diagnosed with Krabbe Disease, a rare genetic disorder that attacks the nervous system. Krabbe is usually fatal, and most patients diagnosed with the disease die within two years. Jhyrve was given an experimental stem cell transplant.

What lie ahead for Jhyrve, though, was a long and lonely recovery. The chemotherapy that made her life saving treatment possible had destroyed her immune system.

Extreme Makeover was facing their biggest challenge ever. For Jhyrve's to be able to leave the hospital her doctor said she would need a home that was completely free of bacteria, viruses, and allergens. The slightest cold or virus, something a healthy person could easily resist, could be fatal to Jhyrve.

IQAir consulted with Extreme Makeover on what would be required to build a proper hospital sterile environment in a home. IQAir President, Frank Hammes, flew in from Switzerland for the installation of Jhyrve's CleanZone HVAC air filtration system. IQAir also placed GC MultiGas systems in the home. Jhyrve needed to be protected from chemicals as well as particulate. IQAir's GC MultiGas systems are the world's most powerful and efficient chemical absorption filters.

After the installation of the CleanZone HVAC and GC MultiGas systems were complete came the most critical step in the process. IQAir needed to certify that Jhyrve's house was safe for her return. The IQAir team conducted an indoor air quality inspection of the entire home. The air tests showed that the installation and design of the home were a complete success. The air in Jhyrve's new home was actually cleaner than it had been when she was in the hospital.

IQAir notified the Extreme Makeover staff that Jhyrve could now come home.

IQAir systems used in the Sears home:

• In Jyhrve's room and living room: IQAir GC MultiGas
• For the whole house in conjunction with the central air conditioning system: IQAir CleanZone Series