Daily prompt, Blogger with a cause.
If your day to day responsibilities were taken care of and you could throw yourself completely behind a cause, what would it be?
Some day, hopefully far into the future,
most of us will have to face the sad reality,
that our life is drawing to a close.
Our remaining days are numbered.
Even if we have reached a great age,
it is still not an easy thing to realize.
However for one young boy here in Ireland,
that day came at thirteen years of age.
Just before Christmas,
sitting with a shocked father,
and a heartbroken mother,
he was told he had Leukemia.
He was told his life was at risk.
He did not even know what Leukemia was.
Sitting there he was told,
that all would be done to make him better,
but there were no guarantees.
I will not describe to you,
the conversation that followed,
or the tears that flowed freely that day,
suffice to say even if you were a good age,
with a life well lived,
you would still never wish to experience it.
Within twenty four hours of being given that news,
he was in another county,
having had a general anaesthetic,
and was to begin Chemotherapy.
St Stephens Day,
he lost his hair for the first time.
As the days and weeks went on,
it was discovered his only real chance of cure,
was to get a bone marrow transplant.
He had three siblings,
and a large close nit family,
Hopes were high.
But no, it was not to be.
Even the bone marrow of this incredible young boy was special.
No family match.
And so it was that the call went round the world,
and thankfully a perfect match was found in America.
We do not know the donor,
just that it is a “she”
A “she” in her early twenties.
Just over eight weeks ago,
she took time out of her own life,
to save a stranger.
My young friend is still in hospital,
but hopefully will get home soon.
The fact is,
that without this amazing act of kindness,
his chances were slim to none.
She saved his life.
My cause is quite simple,
I would like as many as possible,
to consider becoming a bone marrow donor.
Blood donation is quite common,
but so few seem to understand or know anything,
about actually becoming a bone marrow donor.
In Ireland it requires a blood test,
but in other places it is only a cheek swab!
That is it unless you are a match.
So to all you reading,
please please consider signing up.
The last post on this I did,
my pal on Fat bottom girl said what,
did just that.
Who knows just maybe someday somewhere,
a child will be saved because she did.
If you cannot sign up,
will you at least spread the word.
As you read this,
families have been left with no hope,
because a match could not be found.
Maybe that match is you?
Perhaps you are their hope for a future?
Be the match
British bone marrow registry
One match Canada.
photo credit: searching4jphotography via photopin cc
photo credit: stars alive via photopin cc
My thoughts on a page. 
Reblogged this on Writings From Dr. Oolie's Pond.
Dan I cannot thank you enough for the reblog. When we faced the possibility of no match, no hope I will not begin to tell you how we felt, I cannot begin to imagine what his Mum and Dad felt.
You’re welcome.
absolutely will do and thanks so much for sharing this –
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Putting on Facebook. I think it is wonderful, your cause. Best wishes and blessings to your young friend and his family.
Go raibh mile maith agat. Thanks a million. You really cannot know how much this means to me. I will never forget the wait for a donor and the worry of “What if”.
I cannot imagine. And you are welcome.
You rock, Tric. I’ll find out how it works here in France. I’d already read your previous posts about this lad – how is he faring after the transplant?
He is still quite sick and it looks like he will be in for quite some time more as he has a difficult viral infection which is taking a long time to shift. However on the positive side his bone marrow is working a dream. He is rarely far from my thoughts. It is so hard for his mum and dad, as they are already eight weeks in Dublin and have children here in Cork.
Thanks a million for thinking about it. Even publicizing it among your friends is a great help. Without that amazing girl in the US I would be posting very different posts as this was his only chance.
OK, I’ll do it. This is NOT an easy decision for me. I do not like needles, and giving blood was a Very Big Deal:
http://40inmy40th.wordpress.com/2013/02/24/8-of-40-give-blood/
But I will do it; it could save someone’s life.
I just read your post on blood donation.Ha ha. Well done. My friend was refused as she faints after a blood test. She was disgusted.
I cannot begin to tell you what it means to a family to know someone somewhere went on a list and saved their child or relative when they could not.
I hope you go through with it, but even if you don’t please advise others to at least think about it.
When I give blood now I think of my friends young boy and the amount of needles and pain he goes through every day.
I often wonder about the fantastic young donor we benefitted from. I wonder is she still as proud of herself as she should be.
Thanks a million, just for considering it. Someday somebody might be very grateful.
Thank you. It was a Big Thing to give even one pint of blood, but I thought that even One Pint would be a Good Thing. I am psyching myself up to go again, and will sign up to marrow donation when I do.
Thank you so very very much. My young friend was told yesterday that the team had a meeting and as far as they are concerned he is fully cured. No more leukemia and the transplant 100% successful. He has some complications so cannot come home just yet but watch this space!!!
Reblogged this on my life my blog zane and commented:
Please take a few mins to read this blog! xxx