I can't tell you how many times folks have asked me "how can I help" over the last couple of months. It's very difficult for a type A, get it done person like me to actually accept that help. But I have, because I know it's helped my family so much, it would be foolhardy and selfish to not let these kind people help us when we need it. I am humbled and if I think about it too much I'll get all teary - again. The meals, the gifts, picking up things at the store - mean so much. But other than those small things, there's not much anyone can do for me except be my friend, stay in touch, make me laugh. The friends, family & co-workers that surround me give those priceless gifts to me daily - and am so grateful.
But REALLY want to help a 40 year old mom with cancer? If you are in Dallas this weekend you CAN! This local mom, Karen Mellow Stock has lymphoma, which is a much more grave diagnosis than what I'm dealing with right now. A bone marrow transplant is what she needs to live. It takes a HUGE amount of people to sign up to find that one match - could it be you? You very well may be walking around with the precious marrow just lying around in your bones that can save this mom's life! How awesome would that be? And if not her, it might be the 8 year old little girl I saw on the Bone Marrow Transplant website that is waiting for her life transforming/saving transplant - or any of the 10's of 1000's of others.
Spring has sprung in Texas - and you need a new outfit. Trust me you do - those old shorts you wore this week are looking pretty shabby. This Sunday 3/29 at NorthPark Shopping Center - noon to 5 - show up and let them just swab your cheek - then go shopping. Who knows, you may get the phone call to save a life - THAT is what you can do to help me, to make ME feel better!
You can see the article I read in the paper this morning here: http://neighborsgo.com/stories/32778
Or here's a blurb with the deets:
On Sunday, March 29th, at NorthPark Center (lower level near Dillards department store mall entrance) from 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. my friends and family are holding a bone marrow drive in conjunction with
DKMS, the largest marrow donor center in the world. This provides an incredibly easy way for you to register to be a bone marrow donor and potentially save a life.
A few things you should know:
You don’t have to give blood or bone marrow to register. All you need to do is swab the inside of your cheeks and send it to a lab to be tissue typed. Once you are processed, your information is stored anonymously in the registry until your 61st birthday, unless you request to be removed.
There is a misconception that donating bone marrow is a complicated, painful procedure. There are two ways to donate. 70%‐80% of the time, stem cells are collected from the donors’ blood, similar to donating
plasma. 20%‐30% of the time bone marrow is withdrawn from the hip (not spine) using a special syringe. It is an out‐patient procedure done with local or general anesthesia.
When you register as a marrow donor, you have the potential to literally save someone’s life. All it takes is a cheek swab and a form.
Mark your calendars and bring a friend on Sunday, March 29th. You could be the one!
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Walker told me that you were having chemo again today. I hope you know that Kellen is ALWAYS welcomed at our house (24/7) if he feels he needs to get out for a while or you just want some private time at home. We absolutely love having him.
ReplyDeleteI know this is a difficult time, I have been there with friends. We are here if you need us!
Sherry Mullinix
Your Walker & Kellen had an absolute BLAST crusiing the neighborhood in your hot lil red convertable last night. Kellen still has make-up work, so I didn't want him to spend the night this time - and we need to get over hiding me every time, since I have 5 more to go. BUT THANK YOU for all the time, care and FOOD you've provided him! You have been an absolute Godsend. Kellen may take his permit test this weekend, I HOPE he's as contiencious as your child, I think he will be but, nervewracking none-the-less. He's told his grandfather he would take a car/truck that's painted Moore orange - even with MOORE painted on the side.........Good Lord he's drunk the family Kool-aid we've avoided all these years. He & his grandpa share the same birthday - this week 4/9.
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