By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
There will be an American Red Cross Blood Drive and Bone Marrow Registry held on Monday, Jan. 31 at the Caribou Inn and Convention Center from 12:30-5:30 p.m. This event is sponsored by Cary Medical Center, Big Rock, CICC and the Red Cross.
Photo courtesy of Meghann Derosier
Caleb Derosier, dubbed “Caleb the Incredible” by family and friends for his big smile despite chemotherapy for leukemia, may need a bone marrow transplant.
“In December of 2005, I was diagnosed with AML — acute myelogenous leukemia,” stated Kevin Simmons, CICC owner, “and I underwent several months of chemotherapy at the Gibson Pavilion at Maine Medical Center, in Portland. By July, 2006, I was in remission, feeling better and back to work. By October of 2007, I was confronted with a major setback, the disease came out of remission. I was then facing the only option available to continue my life — a bone marrow transplant.”
“After completing another round of chemotherapy and many pre-transplant tests,” said Simmons, “knowing it might take months or years to find a bone marrow donor, I prayed to hear the words, ‘you have a donor.’ I was very fortunate, not only did they find me a donor — it was a sibling donor, my brother. My brother was a 6-6 match, and I was told that less than 25 percent of family members are perfect matches.”
“So many leukemia patients aren’t this lucky and that is why we must continue to build up the Donor Registry,” stressed Simmons. “Following more chemotherapy and full-body radiation, I received my transplant and although I endured some very life-threatening complications, I am a Bone Marrow Transplant Survivor and I recently celebrated my third year since the transplant and am doing very well.”
Thousands of patients depend on the BE The Match Registry to find a donor who can give them a second chance at life. Qualified individuals have the power to heal, the power to save a life. Take the first step — join the registry.
During the Jan. 31 Bone Marrow Registry and Blood Drive, there will be instant give-aways handed out during the day. The event will also feature prizes of two 1-year CICC Health Club memberships; two 6-month CICC Health club memberships; two-$50 Greenhouse (restaurant) gift certificates; and three lift ticket vouchers to be used at Big Rock.
To qualify to become listed in the Bone Marrow Registry individuals must be between the ages of 18 and 60, be willing to donate to any patient in need and meet specific health guidelines. For more information call 498-3733, 1-800 MARROW-2 or go to BeTheMatch.org.
Other blood drives and bone marrow registry events will be held at The Aroostook Medical Center on Tuesday, Feb. 1 and on Wednesday, Feb. 2, both from 12:30-5:30 p.m.
