Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Treatment Delayed! Numbers are low!

Hello Everyone,

Yesterday I was supposed to start Treatment but my numbers were to low. Specifically, my platelets were not high enough for me to start treatment. So, we are going to delay 1 week and try again next Monday.

The silver lining in all this is that I got to watch Scotty's 1st baseball game and unlike the Tigers they won 11-10.

Unfortunately, I have to get a bone marrow biopsy today to get data as to why the platelets are not bouncing back. The biopsy will also show if the treatments are reducing the disease in the marrow. Please, pray that the disease is being reduced!

We are still waiting for all of your donor registrations to be put into the database, so I can find a match. Patience is what I am learning in all of this.

It is Craig's birthday today! He is 13 years old!

Thanks for checking in,

Gary

Monday, May 19, 2008

Wow! Everyone Showed Up to the Donor Drive

Hello Everyone,

What a Great Success the Bone Marrow Drive was yesterday! If it wasn't for the leadership of Karen Welch, the support of all the volunteers, and the great response from the community we would not have had over 400 new Bone Marrow Registry's from this one drive.

Applause for Everyone!

So, in the next 4 to 6 weeks when you get called to donate for a 41 yr. old, male, married with 3 kids, you might be the miracle we are looking for. :)

Seriously, it was heart warming seeing so many friends and family support me and the other people in need.

We are very over whelmed and grateful for every one's support.

Thank You!

Gary & Tammy

Monday, May 12, 2008

Donor Drive for ME!!

Our friends have organized a marrow donor drive in my honor.

Sunday May 18th
2-5pm
St James Catholic Church
46325 10 Mile Road Between Taft & Beck Roads

Due to the Thanks Mom campaign it will be free to join the registry. To take part in it, you simply need to swab the inside of your cheek; no blood drawn at this time! Participation places your information on a registry as a potential marrow donor. For more information, please visit marrow.org. If you are unable to attend on Sunday a kit can be requested online just do it before 5/19 so it will be free.

If you are able to help out at the drive contact Karen Welch welch@twmi.rr.com

Monday, May 5, 2008

How can you help?

Hello Friends,

I get asked alot from friends like you "How can I help?" Well the answer is to become a Registered Bone Marrow Donor.

The Marrow Donation Program is running a special the next few weeks. The usual charge of $52 to join the registry will be waived due to the Thanks Mom campaign running May 5-19th.
Donors must be between the ages of 18-60.

Look to the left and you will see a link.

It is easy to become a donor and in 90% of all Bone Marrow Transplants the donor just has to give a pint of blood. So, if you have donated blood to the red cross it is basically the same thing!

We will keep posting Bone Marrow drives in the Detroit area for people to go to. Below are three that are friend Karen Welch has found:


LOCATIONS & DATES:
May 11 (8:30am-1:30 pm)- St, Aiden Catholic Church, 17500 Middlebelt Rd, Livonia. 734-425-5950
May 13 (2:00-8:00pm)- Antioch Lutheran Church, 33360 W. 13 Mile, Farmington Hills. 248-762-8480
May 18 (9:00am-2:00pm)- St. John NeumannChurch, 44800 Warren Rd., Canton. 734-455-7187


Thanks

Gary