Onwards and Upwards No. 16
Hello my healing team,
I hope this update finds you well!
As I have previously described, I have been going through a process of self review and goal setting. I want to make sure that I live deliberately and a big part of that is making sure that I can positively impact on the lives of others. Even better, wouldn’t it be just bloody fantastic if I could do something to help save a life!!………. cue the next project for my brothers and I as part of the Brothers Book Club (BBC)!!
Statistics suggest that at some stage in the next 3-10 years, my Cancer levels may rise, and if this occurs, I will need to have another stem cell transplant (previously called a bone marrow transplant). See the photo of me having my last stem cell transplant. It is planned that for my next transplant, the doctors will give me stem cells from a donor. I am extraordinarily lucky as two of my brothers have been found to be compatible donors for me. I am amongst the lucky 30% of people that have a family member as my ‘life saver’. Of the 1000s of people annually that need stem cell transplants, 70% rely on finding a donor through the bone marrow registry. Sadly, many die waiting for a compatible donor. This is where you can help.
What we need is more people registered as stem cell donors. It is an easy process to register. You register when (or just before) you ‘Give Blood’. It is that simple. It’s also an easy process to donate stem cells. It is much the same process as giving blood.
You can get more info from here – www.abmdr.org.au
Recently, a good friend found her donor after waiting some time. I have another good friend who has spent the last 12 months waiting. The wait continues. I figure that if I can influence 100 people to join the registry, one of those people could be a match, and I can say “I made a difference”.
Well you can make a difference too. You can potentially save a life. Here is how……
RIGHT NOW – find out where your nearest Blood Bank is. Book some time into your diary to give blood. www.donateblood.com.au
WITHIN TWO WEEKS – give blood. When you are interviewed by the nurse, ask to be added to the donor registry. You even get a free biscuit and a drink 😄.
So over the coming months, you will hear from my brothers and I on this topic. As the Brothers Book Club, we are super keen to make a difference!! We are super keen to help save a life.
Please help us. Register now. I look forward to hearing when you give blood and have joined the registry!
Please feel free to share this and join the push!!
Take care
Geoff
