Every year for Sam's birthday we opt for people not getting him presents and instead running some sort of "drive". He has collected books, dog treats, and toys for children at Our House.
But this is year may be his most important "drive" yet. His grandma has been diagnosed with a rare subset of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This is has been a pretty quick progression from her original diagnosis of myelodysplasia (pre-leukemia) from about two months ago.
Eight years ago, she fought lymphoma with stem-cell transplant and chemotherapy. She has been in remission ever since, but the downside to her beating cancer the first time is that the chemotherapy used then has given her this round of cancer. All the doctors agree, her only chance for a cure is a bone marrow transplant.
Sam has done everything he can do to make Grandma feel better. He makes sure to give her a vitamin when she comes over to our house. When she is in the hospital, he makes sure to tell her to take her medicine "twice" so she will feel better twice as fast. He just wants Grandma to feel better and take him to the park again.
He doesn't understand what is wrong with his grandma. He doesn't understand that the only way to make her better is a bone marrow transplant. And there are millions of others out there in the same position.
He doesn't understand what is wrong with his grandma. He doesn't understand that the only way to make her better is a bone marrow transplant. And there are millions of others out there in the same position.
That's where you come in! Do you know how easy it is to become a donor? Delete Blood Cancer DKMS, the world’s largest bone marrow donor center, makes it simple to register online. Registering does not include a blood draw or finger prick. It’s painless. You simply fill out a form, swab the inside of your mouth and send it in. That's it!
If you meet the criteria, you can just visit the website or attend a local drive in your area and register to be a donor. You fill in the required information and, if you’re registering online, Delete Blood Cancer will mail you a swab kit with your donor number and more information. You swab the inside of your mouth and send it back at no cost to you. It is that easy!
What if you are selected?
If you are contacted as a match for a patient, Delete Blood Cancer will ask you to provide a blood sample for a confirmatory blood test arranged by your Delete Blood Cancer coordinator. At this time, they will also test for standard infectious diseases.
There are two methods of donation. The most common is the Peripheral Blood Stem Cell (PBSC) donation method, which is used in 75 percent of cases. With this method, cells are collected via the bloodstream. Blood is taken from one arm, filtered through a machine, and replace into the other arm. To increase the number of stem cells in the bloodstream, donors receive daily injections of a synthetic protein called filgrastim for four days before and on the day of the donation. This outpatient procedure usually takes several hours and donors can go home that same day.
With the other method, the bone marrow is extracted from the back of the pelvic/hip bone using a special syringe. In this method, the donor is given anesthesia so they don't feel a thing during the process. They may experience some soreness at the extraction site for a few days. Most people compare the feeling to having fallen on their bottom while ice skating. This minor discomfort is nothing compared to the joy of saving another person's life! The donation method used depends on the state of the patient and is decided by their doctor. A donor’s marrow completely regenerates within a few weeks after the donation.
So please join us in this Big Bad Blog Delete Blood Cancer Drive! There are several ways you can help, even if you can't register as a potential donor:
1) Go to DeleteBloodCancer.org, register as a donor and post a picture on Twitter or Instagram of your donor card with #bbbdeletebloodcancer and tag @getswabbed and @rikkidale
2) Like the Delete Blood Cancer Facebook page
4) Take a "Swabbing Selfie" of you swabbing your cheek and post it on Twitter or Instagram with #bbbdeletebloodcancer and tag @getswabbed and @rikkidale
5) Post a picture of you holding an "I swabbed for _______ " or "You should swab because ______" sign with #bbbdeletebloodcancer and tag @getswabbed and @rikkidale
6) Text "DELETE" to 20222 to make a one-time donation of $5 (the donation will be applied to your current phone bill) and post a screenshot on Twitter or Instagram of the text with #bbbdeletebloodcancer and tag @getswabbed and @rikkidale
The Big Bad Blog will sponsor a giveaway for people that participate in this drive:
A $75 gift card to Amazon.com
A $25 gift card to Amazon.com
A $25 gift card to Walmart
A free blog design from Hubby Jack Blog Designs
This giveaway will be open from January 16 - February 28 (to allow you time to get your kit in). Please consider becoming a donor. So many lives depend on it.
A special thanks to the following AMAZING bloggers for helping to make this happen! These are some phenomenal ladies AND bloggers so please go check them out!
Nina @ theninashow.com
Holly @ thestanfieldclan.com
Erin @ shesabigstar.com
Meg @ nerkyblog.com
Amanda @ abrownieworld.blogspot.com
Royal @ royalproclaims.blogspot.com
Kayla @ itskaylalayla.blogspot.com
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