This isn't a post I ever wanted to have to write.
Yesterday, Crystal (one of our fabulous editors and board members and the SUPER GLUE that keeps this place running) found out her son has a form of leukemia -- ALL to be exact.
I know. I'll give you a second to wipe the tears and get yourself back together.
So I don't screw up the story, I'll paste Crystal's words from the CaringBridge site they have set up.
Jack became ill after Christmas 2011 with odd and varied symptoms that would come and go. Many of the symptoms were flu-like; however, he did not have a cough or runny nose. Fatigue, headaches, and random aches and pains, along with a fever that fluttered in and out of the picture, led to a blood test to check for anemia.
The good news is that Jack is healthy and very cooperative with the physicians. We have a fabulous team of doctors and specialists who are taking care of him. The types of Leukemia that Jack may have are treatable and 85-90% of patients recover fully.
The next few days will determine where they go from here -- treatments, blood draws, doctor visits, hospital stays -- all scary stuff for the family of an amazing and vibrant 5 year old.
Our first instinct is to help. We all long to help and really just want to fix the whole situation.
Since we can't fix it, we can try to make Jack feel the love.
We've set up an email especially for Jack. You can send him e-cards at the.jackonaut@gmail.com. He loves getting messages -- just remember he's 5, so keep it clean, y'all!
There's an address on the CaringBridge site for the hospital where cards and small packages can be accepted. Please don't send balloons or flowers because of allergies of other patients.
*****************************************
Do you want to know what the MOST IMPORTANT THING you can do right now to help?
Join the Be The Match Registry.
The month of January, American Express has given a grant to cover the costs of people who register to become a bone marrow donor.
But how hard is getting on the list? It's so easy, a caveman could do it. (Wait, that's kinda old, huh?) Seriously, they send you a kit, you simply swab the inside of your cheek and send it back. THAT'S ALL YOU DO! Easy, right?
There are thousands of patients waiting to be matched with a donor. Half of them will not find a match. By registering to be on the list, you increase their chances. Jack may not need a transplant (they don't know the treatment course yet) but somebody else out there does.
The following are the MOST NEEDED ethnicities for the registry, though everyone who can and who is willing should consider registering.
- Black or African American
- American Indian or Alaska Native
- Asian, including South Asian
- Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander
- Hispanic or Latino
- Multiple race
If you have questions about the registry, check out their FAQ section.
If you're ready to sign up to save a life, go straight here.
If you're already on the registry, make sure your information is updated. What if they match you and they can't find you?
Help spread the word on Twitter or Facebook. You can just copy/paste this if you want:
Are you willing to @bethematch? Marrow Registry sign up is easy & FREE in January. Join now! http://twurl.nl/ub7cws @bandback2gether
*****************************************
We're all obviously very concerned, heartbroken and scared. But we're going to do what The Band does best: rally around, send love to, fling glitter on and be there for Crystal, Jack and the rest of their family.
Grab a button above and throw it on your blog
Jack's gonna kick leukemia's ass and we're going to be cheering him on all the way!
19 Comments
