May 19 09
As you know from recent postings, bone marrow donor registration has been a focus of ours lately. While some of us - like me - sit on the registry for 20 years waiting to be called, matches sometimes happen more quickly. Last week, I got an email from a friend who shared with me that one of the donors at her daughter’s drive received THE call. Just a couple of months after signing up on a college campus, this young lady was deemed a match. What an incredible feeling it must be to get that call. These bone marrow registration drives DO work!
On the recipient side, just think what it must be like to know that there is a match out there. We were so thrilled when we found out that Ali was a match for Andrew. Unfortunately, Andrew’s health never recovered to the point where he could receive the bone marrow transplant (BMT). Conversely, the fear and desperation of patients and their families waiting for that call must be horrific. There is a young man in Californina, Nick Glasgow, who has been diagnosed with leukemia and is desperately in need of a BMT. Nick is part Asian and is need of a donor of similar ancestry. People of multiple races are tremendously under-represented on the registry. Please visit the link below on a more detailed story about Nick and please join the registry if you think you might possibly be able to help Nick. For any additional questions, please contact Nick’s Mom at:
http://cbs5.com/local/bone.marrow.donor.2.1013000.html
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YOUR Foundation continues to help families of critically ill children. Here is the latest group of Heroes that you have helped.
Bella - 3 yr old; leukemia (ALL)
Dulce - 2 1/2 yr old; anemia & BMT
Kadence - 4 yr old; leukemia (ALL)
Travis - 17 yr old; Hodgkins Lymphoma
The families greatly appreciate your kindness and generosity. Here is an excerpt from a recent letter we received from a family that we assisted.
“We received your generous check today in the mail and I sat in the driveway and cried. Thank you so much for your generosity. I can only tell you that I have truly found my God through this trial. This experience has taught me things about myself, about my children, about people, about life that I never want to give up, and I truly cherish. I feel blessed in ways I never thought possible. We honor the memory of your son and I sned immense gratitude, more than words can say, to you, your family, and your wonderful organization!”
(From the mother of a 15 year old with medulloblastoma brain tumor)
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One month from yesterday until our “B+ 5k Fighting Pediatric Cancer”. Remember to create a team or sign up as an individual at:
https://www.signup82north.com/BPos2009/EventLandingPage.aspx
Live Like Andrew - find the good in people.
B+
Ali’s & Andrew’s Dad
www.BePositive.org