Something of a personal nature

[[T.i.T.s.]bubba316]

Many of you guys know me from my -=DoW=- days or the times I've been on TS since I've resigned. About 3 months ago got some news that my department head (who I consider a friend) has Leukemia (Type CML). He has been fighting it for about a year now. After completing his second round of chemotherapy he is in remission. But this will probably not last. His only cure lies in finding a matching bone marrow donor. Currently there isn't a match in the bone marrow registry.

If interested, you can be screened (all that involves is a finger poke similar to blood sugar testing) and added to the registry at most major hospitals around the world. In the USA, most insurance companies cover the cost for this test ($65). Also any Hispanic Americans or African Americans can be screened for free. If you don't fall into either of these situations, there has been a fund setup to cover the testing cost. Information can be provided via PM if interested.

There has also been a bone marrow donor drive setup for March 14th, 2004. Information here. (http://home.comcast.net/~james.cloutier/misc/Marrow_Drive.pdf) Anyone in the Boston, MA area is welcome to come.

If you want any further information, please PM me and I'll be happy to supply anything that I can. Also below are some links that people might find helpful.

Thanks for your time guys,
James Cloutier (bubba316)

Dan Farber http://www.dana-farber.org
The Leukemia Society http://www.leukemia.org
CML Resource http://cml.tlls.org

[Hari Seldon]

Excellent post, bubba. I hope your friend doesn't need a transplant, but this is certainly one resource many of us can share. I have been "registered" here in St. Louis, but no takers yet.

[-=DoW=- The Fan]

Bubba, if I was in the USA, i would definately help. Maybe I can see if there is something similar here. I´ll check it up.

[-=DoW=- po632003]

WOW Bubba!! who wouldn't love to have a friend like you!!! excellent post!!! best of luck in your search!! :banger:

[bigshot]

bubba got a freind with cancer your in are thoughts best of luck m8 :banger:

[[T.i.T.s.]bubba316]

Just to give some additional information to cover a couple of questions I've gotten.

Where to go - You can go to just about any major hospital around the world. I would call before going to check that the test result would go into the International Database. You do not have to be in the Boston, MA area on the 14th. This is just a single drive to bring in a mass number of people (similar to a blood drive).

What/How do they test - They take a small blood sample in order to break down the DNA and see if you are a close match to someone else. This is much more difficult to match than just blood type (as you could imagine). The bone marrow sample is taken only after you are found to be a match. Though not an enjoyable experience (compared to shooting people on the bridge), there is no long term effects from the donating process.

Thank you to everyone who has show interest in this. This means a lot to me and even more to my friend. Hopefully some good will come out of this awful situation.

[Tatmtt2120]

Great idea. There is no better gift to give to someone than to save their life. I registered back in May 03 for bone marrow. Another way to save a life is to become an organ donor. This is a very big subject with me because my Father-in-law who is my dependent and lives in my house with my family recieved a double lung transplant in July 02. If it wasn't for the young man and his family he wouldn't be alive today.

Go here for U.S.
http://www.organdonor.gov/

Go here for U.K.
http://www.uktransplant.org.uk/default.htm

Go here of Canada.
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/organandtissue/

Not sure where to go for other countries.

[Cro9710]

Excellent post! I certainly pray that your friend finds the donor he needs.