Social Hop - For A Cause..

She Could Be Your Daughter

This week I have posted a couple of blogs about my friend's daughter, Haley. Haley is 16 years old and she is suffering from a very rare bone marrow disease called Myelodysplasia. This disease affects less than 100 children a year... Haley's doctor has advised the family that she needs a bone marrow transplant and his goal is start the process in June. Unfortunately, the family is not a match! This is where I need you to get the word out...

Testing is as simple as a swabbing your mouth! Really it's that easy.....

Here is the FB page for Haley - Please like it and if you want to be tested - Please say "I want to be tested!" and I will forward you the information you need to help...

If you cannot donate bone marrow - You can donate money to help the family with the testing. Every dollar counts... The Paypal link is in the sidebar.

Above all else - Please lift Haley, her parents - Joe and Cathie and sister Ashley in your prayers.. We serve an amazing Father and He is in control - which I for one is very happy about....

Here are the blog posts telling Haley's story. Post 1 and Post 2 and Post 3

I would love it if you followed my Facebook page too - but if you only follow one please let it be Haley's....

Bone Marrow Drive In The Works!

I am truly humbled by our blogging community - Many of you have reached out to your viewers and spread the word on Haley's bone marrow need... Thank you and God bless you.. And - Please keep it going....

Last night the family met with Be The Match to see what they can do to get a few drives set up. There will be a drive in our Southern California area soon AND there will be an on-line drive set up by the end of this weekend... I will post all the information as soon as is it is known.

Taking the test to find a match for Haley is very simple... It's an easy swab of your mouth - that's it. The true commitment comes is if you are a match... The doctor will decide on what type of bone marrow Haley will need... I have received many emails from people in our blogging community that said that stem cells is what is used today... and that is very true but in some instances the doctor believes that a true extraction of the bone marrow from the hip is what is truly needed.. Thankfully, Haley is working with a doctor from UCLA that specializes in her particular disorder which is very rare - statistics show less than 100 children a year are inflicted with Myelodysplasia..... At this point - we truly do not know beyond a doubt what type of marrow is needed - If you can make a commitment - please be prepared for whatever procedure may be needed.

If you are interested in being tested please go to Haley's Facebook page and say "I want to be tested"... I will contact you with all the information when it becomes available.

If you can donate money to help the family with the Drive - Please donate here:

Here is Haley's Story - Haley's Story #1 and Haley's Story #2
It amazes me how a stranger can save the life of another... It truly amazes me how our bodies are linked in so many ways... This fact truly strengthens my belief that God is the one and only Creator - there are no mistakes... In all things His purpose... His plans are Perfect...



** image from Be the Donor

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!