How many times do we feel the need to help someone, but know there are just too many people that need help, so we simply do nothing? Alone, we cannot change the world, but we CAN change ONE life. One life.
If you knew that you might be able to save one single life, and if we ALL decided to do that, imagine what we could accomplish. That's all, not the whole world, just one life. And YOU can do that and it's not as complicated, or as expensive, or as painful as you might think. PLEASE, make a decision today to save ONE life. If we all do that, we just might actually save two or three, or a hundred.
I wrote this email last year to everyone I know. Read the email and then check out the update at the end.
April 23, 2008
Hi Everyone:
Those of you who know me well, know I do not send out chain email, so let me assure you, this is not one of those.
I need to tell you about kevin, Just a couple months ago, Kevin was doing what every 15-year-old boy was doing. He was on the football team, enjoyed playing drums, spending time with his friends.
Today he is fighting for his life. He was diagnosed with an extremely rare genetic disorder called XLP. Most boys are diagnosed very early and rarely (without a bone marrow match) live past the age of 10. Unfortunately for Kevin, no immediate family member was a match, so they have had to turn to the national bone marrow registry.
OK, quit making that face at your computer. I know what you're thinking.....".Please, PLEASE don't ask me to donate bone marrow.....it will........................HURT".
Here's the truth.
To get your name in the bone marrow registry does not even come close to hurting. It's simply a swab inside your cheek at the time of registration. That's it, to get registered you will not be stuck with a needle of any kind, you will simply have your cheek swabbed with something that resembles a long Q-Tip.
And IF you do match someone, the majority of donations do not involve surgery. The patient's doctor most commonly requests a peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) donation, which is non-surgical and outpatient. And even in the "worst case" scenario, general or regional anesthesia is always used. Donors feel no needle injections and no pain during marrow donation. And you are sore for a few days.
I know. You'd prefer that I was asking you for money. But, I'm not asking for your money.
I'm asking you to imagine for a split second you are Linda.
Your son is 15, he was seemingly very healthy a couple months ago, now you are pleading for his life.
And imagine that I look you in the eyes and say, "I'm really sorry that your son may not live long enough to for you to dance with him at his wedding, or go to the prom or maybe even get his driver's license in a few months, but.....I.......really......don't want to be sore for a few days."
I know Linda. I know her husband Ron, Kevin's dad. Ron is my sister's nephew who lived with my sister Helen and her family when he was 17. Last fall my family had a mini-reunion in Nashville with our cousins. Since they live now in a Nashville suburb, Linda and Ron joined us for most of the weekend. At that time they had no clue that their world would be completely turned upside down a few short months later.
I do not want to look either of them in the eye and tell them I can't help their son because I don't want to be sore for a couple of days. Can you tell me you could say that to someone, anyone you know or have heard of? I wish this WAS just another internet story that you get everyday. It's not to me. It's personal. It's family.
And, it's possible you might not be a match, but you might help another Linda or Ron or Kevin. Or someone's daughter, or your own someday.
Please consider becoming a registered donor today. If you are already registered, I'd love to hear back from you so I can pass the information along to the family to keep their spirits up. And please make sure the registry has your current contact information.
I'd also like to hear from you if you decide to become a registered donor. Certain conditions may prevent you from becoming a donor, but you can help in other ways, sponsor a drive, forward this email to people you KNOW will help, just email us your well wishes.
For me, I found out that I cannot donate, therefore I have decided to organize a bone marrow drive/health fair at my church.
If you are unable to register, please consider sponsoring a drive, organizing one at your company or church or civic organization or even just sponsoring one person and send this on to someone you know could make a difference.
And remember Kevin and his family in your prayers tonight.
Thank you so much.
UPDATE: Kevin was so fortunate. They found a healthy match and the bone marrow was recieved several months ago all the way from Singapore. Although the chemo preparing for the marrow was not pleasant, for the most part Colton has only a few setbacks.
In January he was allowed to go back to school and actually play with the football team again. He's a happy, healthy nearly 17 year old now. Obviously he still must take caution, but given his condition a little over a year ago, it's gone remarkably well.
Now it's time for you to step up. If you are under 60, please consider registering to become a donor.
The health fair that I organized at my church last year will become an annual event. July 25th, Brandywine Community Church from 9 to 1. And this year, WFMS will broadcast from there. Please come. Please help. Please allow me an opportunity to tell Linda and Ron that Kevin's plight will help other people too.
God Bless.
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