"EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION" RETURNS A TEEN WITH A WEAKENED IMMUNE SYSTEM TO HER HOME AFTER SHE HAD TO MOVE OUT OF STATE BECAUSE OF A MOLD-INFESTED HOUSE

New Designer Eduardo Xol (Landscape Design) Joins the EM:HE Team in This Episode

"Sears Family" -- After a 17-year-old girl underwent chemotherapy for a rare genetic disorder, she was unable to return to her Martinez, California home because of the mold and allergens at her family's house. When "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" learned of her plight, the design team and hundreds of workers put in long days and nights so that Jhyrve (Ger-VAY) Sears could come home, in an episode airing SUNDAY, JANUARY 23 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

In February 2004, Jhyrve was diagnosed with the rare genetic disorder Krabbe Disease (pronounced Crab-ay), which is caused by an enzyme deficiency. Her only chance of survival was to receive a new treatment in which she'd be given a cord blood transplant at Duke University Hospital in North Carolina. So in March 2004, Jhyrve relocated cross-country with her mother, Karen, to start treatment. After undergoing rounds of chemotherapy and then receiving her cord blood transplant, Jhyrve has spent the last several months recovering and rebuilding her immune system. Although the transplant was successful, the doctors at Duke would not let her go home to California until the mold infestation that threatened her weakened immune system had been removed from the home.

Jhyrve and her Mom have been living in North Carolina, paying rent at an apartment close to the hospital while still paying mortgage on their unoccupied house in California. Karen had to leave her job as a teacher's aid to be with her sick daughter. The financial stress put on the family has left no money to fix up their home, while the emotional stress of not knowing when or even if they will return home continues to taunt them.

Meanwhile, near Oakland, California, Jhyrve's 14-year-old brother, Lucas Sears, missed his mother at his eighth grade graduation but understands that she must stay in North Carolina with his sister until the house is fixed. In the last year, Karen has spent a mere six weeks with her growing son. For Jhyrve too, the hardest part has been being away from her friends and her younger brother.

The EM:HE team, contractors, workers and Pleasant Hill, California-based DeNova Homes were determined to meet the unique needs of the family, which included providing wheelchair access and improving the air quality by removing the mold and allergens in the Sears family's1200-square-foot, three-bedroom, 1-3/4 bath home.

The design team for this episode of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" will feature team leader Ty Pennington, Constance Ramos, Michael Moloney, Paul DiMeo and Eduardo Xol.

"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding. The series is executive-produced by Tom Forman and this episode is co-executive produced by Denise Cramsey. A TV parental guideline will be assigned closer to airdate.