SubscribeA post almost a year ago indicated that potential donors had been identified. Unfortunately, however, for various reasons these donors did not work out. While it was also posted on several occasions that my daughters and my sister were half matches, it was also mentioned that I have antibodies to them. The doctors at Johns Hopkins have tried several methods to negate this antibody issue, but were unsuccessful in my case to do so. Thus, they are not able to be considered as donors for my transplant. As a result, we have still been waiting for a match to come through the National Bone Marrow registry, also called Be The Match.
My younger daughter, Meredith, is currently hosting a Bone Marrow Drive in Ann Arbor, Michigan. For more information, you can check out her team page at: http://www.bethematchfoundation.org/site/TR?px=1403490&fr_id=1440&pg=personal
Someone does not need to be in Ann Arbor to be part of the drive. You can go to this site and order a kit, which will be sent to you. The kit involves taking a cheek swab and returning the kit. There is no cost involved in obtaining the kit.
My older daughter, Aprille, is also working on organizing a Bone Marrow Drive in Boulder, Colorado. There will be more information coming on this drive.
I am not the only person looking for a life saving match. There are thousands of other people out there waiting for someone to be a match for them. It is our hope and prayers that more people join the registry every day so that matches can be found for all of us that are waiting. We live in a world where we often put off to tomorrow or the next day or the next month or whenever, what we could do today. But for someone waiting for a transplant, time is critical. So, if becoming a donor is something you are able and willing to do, we hope and pray you will take that step today to join the registry.
While I am the one waiting for the transplant, you may wonder why I use the term "we" so much in my posts. This is easy. This entire process of diagnosis, treatment, ups and downs with possible transplant dates, etc. has been more "doable" for me because of the continued love, prayers and support of my family, friends, business associates, and even strangers. For this, I offer my continued and very humble thanks. We continue to pray for a complete healing, however the Lord determines that to occur.
My younger daughter, Meredith, is currently hosting a Bone Marrow Drive in Ann Arbor, Michigan. For more information, you can check out her team page at: http://www.bethematchfoundation.org/site/TR?px=1403490&fr_id=1440&pg=personal
Someone does not need to be in Ann Arbor to be part of the drive. You can go to this site and order a kit, which will be sent to you. The kit involves taking a cheek swab and returning the kit. There is no cost involved in obtaining the kit.
My older daughter, Aprille, is also working on organizing a Bone Marrow Drive in Boulder, Colorado. There will be more information coming on this drive.
I am not the only person looking for a life saving match. There are thousands of other people out there waiting for someone to be a match for them. It is our hope and prayers that more people join the registry every day so that matches can be found for all of us that are waiting. We live in a world where we often put off to tomorrow or the next day or the next month or whenever, what we could do today. But for someone waiting for a transplant, time is critical. So, if becoming a donor is something you are able and willing to do, we hope and pray you will take that step today to join the registry.
While I am the one waiting for the transplant, you may wonder why I use the term "we" so much in my posts. This is easy. This entire process of diagnosis, treatment, ups and downs with possible transplant dates, etc. has been more "doable" for me because of the continued love, prayers and support of my family, friends, business associates, and even strangers. For this, I offer my continued and very humble thanks. We continue to pray for a complete healing, however the Lord determines that to occur.
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