My friend from church, Susan, was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma 5 years ago when she was pregnant with her first child. They did very aggressive treatment, which eliminated the cancer. A couple of months ago, she found out that her bone marrow was badly damaged (a condition called myleodysplasia) and that she is in urgent need of a bone marrow transplant. Without one, she has a very limited life-span.
Susan is a stay-at-home mom of three adorable, funny, spunky children (4, 2, and 9 months), and her husband, Van, is a doctor with Scott and White. She and her husband are one of the most Godly couples you'll ever meet. Some words that describe them are inspiring, joyful, servants, hilarious, giving, Christ-like, loving parents, and many more things.
Susan's sister was her best bet to be a bone marrow match, but she found out last month that she wasn't a match. After that, they searched the bone marrow registry, and there isn't a single match in our country, and only two maybe/possible matched in the world. Susan recently heard that there was a potential, but in her words, they were on "step 5 of 3,156".
I asked her if I could blog about her and get the word out to as many people as possible to get tested, and she said, "Yes!"
SO, I'm asking you to seriously consider getting your bone marrow tested. It's so simple and easy. It takes about 5 minutes to get your cheek swabbed and 10 minutes to fill out paperwork. It could not only save Susan's life, but it could save someone else's. Some people are scared that it's painful, but that is a misconception.
You can order it online here: http://www.marrow.org/JOIN/index.html
I got it in the mail, sat on the couch and swabbed my cheeks, put it in the packet, and mailed it off. So easy!
If you live in or near Waco, Crestview Church of Christ is holding a Scott & White National Bone Marrow Registry Drive for Susan at the Crestview Community Center (address is below) on Wednesday, September 30, from 5:30-9:00 p.m.
Crestview's address:
7129 Delhi Rd.
Waco, TX
76712
(254)776-0711
(It is one block southwest of Providence Hospital)
Thanks for taking the time to read this! If you have dark hair, you are more likely to be a match for her, so tell all of your dark-haired friends, too! :)
Also, here is her website if you'd like to follow along: http://thewehmeyersblog.blogspot.com/ Her blog is always an easy read, because she's a good writer and sprinkles in lots of humor.
Please keep Susan and Van in your prayers!
5 comments:
I'm already a marrow donor applicant and can testify that becoming one is as simple as it comes. You are such a good friend, Lauren! I know people will be encouraged by this post!!!
Oh, Lauren! I know many people will be encouraged to become a bone marrow donor. How can you not feel compelled to help after reading this. Do you know what will happen if you match? Why does the hair thing matter?
I will be praying for her to find a match soon.
I am a bone marrow donor too and I made Chad do it too. It is so easy, just taking 5 minutes to order it and put it back in the mailbox!
I just ordered a kit!
Hi Lauren, I am a first time reader of your blog. I saw the post on Amanda's blog. I just wanted to say thanks for posting about this. I did a lot of research about it after I read your post and I was really touched. My husband and I both filled out applications to be donors. I am a darked haired lady, so maybe I will be a match for your friend, if not, maybe I can help some one else. :)
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