Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Be A Donor - Save A Life - An Urgent Request


Many of us don't think much about being a donor... unless something happens to us or a loved one.... then the thinking.. the doing begins, doesn't it?

In 1995 - I became severely anemic due to acute kidney failure... I was in the hospital and needed several blood transfusions... This was a time when not much was known about HIV or AIDS and many were fearful of blood that came from the blood banks... Word got out to family and friends that I needed blood... I was unaware that there were people standing in line - many people - I had never met - standing in line to give their blood... for me.... I received a phone call up to my room asking me if the hospital could use any of the excess blood given to me - there were others that needed blood as well.... Later I found that over thirty people cared enough about my life to try to save it.... I was deeply humbled by this and will never forget that there is so much kindness in this world... That there are people willing to go the extra mile to save a stranger... a stranger like me....

The other day - I wrote a post asking for people to donate blood to help a young girl obtain a bone marrow transplant... Please read Haley's Story Here...

Today I was contacted by Erika Toto from DKMS Americas - the worlds largest bone marrow donor center - She gave me a lot of information that can help Haley's family move in the right direction to obtain a donor.... The family will be meeting with Be The Match this week - Be The Match is the National Registry for Bone Marrow. DKMS adds all of their donors to the Be The Match Registry and DKMS does NOT require any of the donors or volunteers to cover the costs of registration. Donors can request kits from around the country on their website www.getswabbed.org/register.. They will receive their free kit within 3 business days. I'm thinking this makes testing a bunch easier don't you... Before you leave this blog - Please request your kit today!

Today - I am asking a for a few things... 1 - Please link or post this and Haley's Story on Your Blog... 2 - Please Tweet this post and Haley's Story... 3 Please pray for Haley and her family's journey... 4 - Please like Haley's Facebook page - and post on your Facebook and finally - 5 -please post this post and Haley's story on your Facebook... We need to get the word out - not just for Haley but for the many others who are in desperate need of bone marrow....

You are eligible to be a donor if you meet the following:
  • Be between the ages of 18 and 55
  • Be in good general health
  • Weigh more than 110lbs but not exceed BMI 40
  • Not be HIV positive or have AIDS
  • Not have had heart surgery or heart disease
  • Not have an autoimmune disorders such lupus, rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis
  • Not have sleep apnea, breathing problems or sever asthma (daily inhalers are acceptable)
  • Not have diabetes requiring insulin
  • Not have hepatitis B or C
  • Not have a stroke (including TIA)
  • Not have chronic or severe neck or back problems
  • Not have epilepsy or have a had a seizure within one year
  • Not have a blood clot or a bleeding disorder
  • Not have a personal history of cancer (melanoma, breast, bladder, and cervical cancer)
Please get the word out to save a life... Save many lives.... Make a difference!

58 comments:

  1. Hi Kelly! Thank you for sharing this on my blog, I will share this~Lisa

    Visiting you again from VoiceBoks!~Lisa
    I am all a twitter about life

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  2. Thank you and Lisa and Kim! You ladies rock!
    Kelly

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  3. Thank you for the tweet Amethyst Moon!

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  4. An important post.. I work in a blood bank and see the need daily..sometimes our need is dire.

    I am anemic as well and can't donate blood but I did do the swab incase my marrow is needed..

    Great post

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  5. Thank you Vodka! Everyone that gets tested is that much closer to saving a life!
    Kelly

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  6. Thank you Anna for getting the word out!
    Kelly

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  7. Kelly just getting a chance to share tonight. I've shared on twitter, facebook, & stumble. Thanks for sharing this.

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  8. I'm sharing this on my FB page. I've been considering donating marrow for a while, and now that my mom has Leukemia, I am definitely doing it. If not for her, then someone else.

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  9. Jennifer - thank you so much for getting the word out in so many different ways!
    Kelly

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  10. Thank you Kellyr78. Getting tested is so much easier now - you can do it from your home via mail - order your free kit and you will be put in the national bone marrow directory.
    Praying for your mom! The link for your kit is in the post - getswabbed
    Love
    Kelly

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  11. I will definitely post this!

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  12. Following via GFC and will share the link.

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  13. gotcha on my twitter! :) but you entered a sweepstakes by placing that comment on it, and you didnt do the requirements so i have to delete it, your welcome to go enter it again, but its not a valid entry. sorry.

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  14. I will definitely share this...I am already on the registry...

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  15. Shared the link. I hope Haley is able to find a match.

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  16. Thank you gkbccb and Janelle for spreading the word!
    Kelly

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  17. Thank you Not a Perfect mom -
    Kelly

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  18. Thanks for posting this on my blog! This is great information and I'd love to help in any way!

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  19. Thank you very much Dreamachine!
    Love
    kelly

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  20. Okay I posted up the post on my fb page and on twitter and of course she's in my prayers. This is the good side of blogging I like seeing. Great work!

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  21. Thank you so much EXJW33 for sharing in so many ways!
    Love
    Kelly

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  22. Absolutely inspiring!
    We all love you.

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  23. Thank you for stopping by my blog and letting me know about this. I have it posted on my Facebook page now and liked you on GFC.

    Chris
    http://shmily1-lovingdisney.blogspot.com

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  24. Hi Kelly! I have shared your link and posted it on my own blog!
    Love,
    Flavia

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  25. Flavia - thank you very much!
    Kelly

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  26. Chris - thank you for spreading this story!
    Kelly

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  27. Hi Kelly, I'll share the link without a doubt. I have a blood clotting disorder..so unfortunately that rules me out. Praying for a donor match for Haley.

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  28. Tweeted this Kelly, and would like to post a blog about her. I can simple copy and paste,God bless you for helping this young girl. I have prayed for her and put her in his hands. I will share this as many ways as possible.

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  29. Nancy - Thank you very much. Would love it if you would blog about her - that would be awesome. You can copy and paste anything you need!
    Love
    Kelly

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  30. Boobies (I love saying that..lol)
    Thank you so much for getting the word out!
    Love
    Kelly

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  31. I shall do my part! Thanks for sharing about Haley!

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  32. Faith Imagined - Thank you very much!
    Love
    Kelly

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  33. Kelly my blogger is acting funny again,but I did get a blog up for Haley,here is a link so you can check if I need to change anything just let me know @ wildwire2010@yahoo.com
    Helping Haley - Passing on another blog

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  34. Hello! Thanks for stopping by my blog. I am now following you back!!

    Nancy

    http://thatsoundslikecrazy.blogspot.com

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  35. I shared on FB and Twitter. Hope a match is found asap.

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  36. Ms. Wasteland - thank you very much for getting the word out for Haley!
    Kelly

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  37. Added a link for you on my blog! Blessing Kelly and may the Lord find her a donor soon and may she be whole and healed in Him in Jesus name.
    God is faithful!
    Blessings

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  38. Bethe -thank you very much!
    Kelly

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  39. Thanks for stopping by my blog today Kelly, I'm sharing this postand I hope a match is found soon!

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  40. Tara - thank you very much!
    Kelly

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  41. I've posted about this here:
    http://acts17verse28.blogspot.com/2011/05/please-read-this.html

    I will pray for this little fella.

    Love,

    NCSue - http://acts17verse28.blogspot.com/

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  42. I am having problems posting comments on blogs. I added to my facebook page.
    www.couponsavingsinthesouth.com

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  43. Thank you NC Sue and couponsavings for spreading the word.
    Love
    Kelly

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  44. Hi Kelly,

    I may not be able to be a donor but I will try my best to do my part. Thanks for sharing this.

    http://spanishpinaynanay.blogspot.com

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  45. Spanish Pinay - thank you very much
    Kelly

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  46. posted on my blog

    http://michiphotostory.blogspot.com/2011/05/be-donor-save-life-urgent-request.html

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  47. The word continues to spread - see this link:
    http://www.shandaoakleyinspires.com/2011/05/bone-marrow-transplants.html.

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  48. Michelle - Thank you very much for spreading the story of Haley!
    Love
    Kelly

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  49. I just seen this on my blog today but i will share it now, hopefully it will still count! Its great of you to share haley's story and try and get people to help her live a longer life!

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  50. Hi Kelly, Just had a chance to post about Haley today - my daugher is in the process of moving and it's been nonstop packing. Here is my link
    http://www.wynniebee.com/2011/05/myelodysplasia-and-haley.html/>WynnieBee
    Thanks for asking me : D

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  51. Posted on my FB and will continue to spread the word!

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  52. I'm late to the party as usual. I copy and pasted your post with the links to my blog and linked back to you. I'm going to check with my doc to see if I can do bone marrow, the site had some stuff about asthma and I want to be sure.

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