Today I read a letter from a woman who in her forties was just diagnosed with leukemia for the second time. She has twin four-year-old daughters, and only a bone marrow transplant will save her life.
About two months ago I was wide awake at 2 0'clock in the morning. A paid commercial came on about kids with Lymphoma and adults with various conditions who were in need of bone marrow. Watching the parents of these kids beg for help, inspired me to do a little research. I thought, "what if there was a cure tomorrow for Cystic Fibrosis, but the person holding onto it wouldn't give it to us? What would that feel like, so helpless, but with the cure right there?" So I logged onto the bone marrow website, with an altruistic desire (that can easily be mustered at 2 0'clock am), to help save a life.
It wasn't the pain that kept me from signing up. It was the $52.00 donation they ask from prospective donors to purchase the kit. We are so strapped, that $52.00 was enough to keep me from making the call. Sooo, I went to bed. By the morning, my altruism fizzled into breakfast dishes, calls to make, and a toddler to chase. The notecard with the toll free number found it's way under a big pile on my desk. I've often thought about those people who are still waiting, but not with that same sense of urgency and empathy.
I now have an opportunity to sign up (for free) to be a prospective donor. I know I have a lot on my plate. I know it's painful and that it is time consuming. And I know that there is some risk involved. But what if Froggy was waiting for a match? What excuse or pain would be big enough NOT to help.
If you would like to carpool with me Sunday (July 8th) at 9:30am to sign up, email me. A Jewish Temple is paying the $52.00, and helping with the paperwork. All they need is a cheek swab and a promise. Anyone?
If you'd like to read more about becoming a bone marrow donor, click HERE!
4 comments:
My company sponsored me to join the donor registry last year. I was so happy because like you the fee was the only thing holding me beck.
Good for you! I'll be joining you in spirit this time (the commute is a bit insurmountable at the moment), but will keep this thought on the back burner as a 'Good Deed' to accomplish when Life makes it more possible. Thanks for the inspiration.
Yeah, I'm up for this and carpooling. Like you, I checked out the website and kinda gulped at the fee as well. I thnk they should find some pharamceutical company to sponsor the fees, I mean, c'mon....you ask people to be altruistic but give them a pretty sizeable barrier to entry to overcome.
And like you, I got distracted with my toddler and work and life and it disappeared out of existence. Thanks for bringing it back.
What a great, great thing to do. I admire and applaud you.
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