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February 02, 2006
Seeking potential bone marrow donors (Filipino, 18-61)
My friend Jake's girlfriend is very sick and needs help. Please read:
This isn't a happy email.
We got the results of Christine's biopsy over the holidays. It turns out that her cancer is back. It's a rare and extremely aggressive form of non-Hodgkins lymphoma. The survival rates are not good. The fact that it's the same cancer is the worst possible news, because it means that it did not respond to treatment.
Medically, the only option Christine has left is a Bone Marrow Transplant. The survival rate of this procedure is 30-40%. Of those who do survive the procedure itself, only 50% survive the next two years. However, if she does survive those two years, it means the cancer won't come back.
This is a pretty terrible option. However, the non medical option is also horrible. Her doctor says that if she chooses not to have the Bone Marrow Transplant, she'll be dead within a year.
I'm sorry to dump such upsetting news on everyone, but I need your help.
I need to find her a bone marrow donor.
Because we caught the cancer early, right now is our best chance of having the Bone Marrow Transplant work. Every day we lose her chances of surviving drop.
So please, contact your friends, and ask them to contact their friends. Anyone you know who is Filipino and between the ages of 18 and 61 is a potential donor. The system is nationwide, so it doesn't matter where they live. Signing up on the registry is easy and painless. All it requires is a simple blood test. Some hospitals charge a small fee for this blood test, however if your friends contact me directly, I can put them in touch with one of the hundreds of local organizations that will do the blood test for free. They can use this email address:
You can reassure your friends that signing up for the registry does not require donating any bone marrow. If it turns out they are a match, they will be contacted, and can make the decision at that point about becoming a donor.
There are lots of misconceptions about donating bone marrow. (I know I was terrified of doing it before I learned how minor the procedure actually is.) The procedure is simple and safe. You will be anesthetized the whole time, so you will not feel anything. When the procedure is over, you may have some soreness in the area for a few days and you may feel a little tired. That's it. The bone marrow you donate is replenished within 3-4 weeks. And again, you will only undergo this procedure if your blood sample shows that you are a match and you decide to donate, in which case the slight soreness you'll be feeling will be saving someone's life.
All medical expenses for the donor will be covered by Christine's insurance. And as I mentioned before, if they contact me directly, I can put them in touch with an organization near them that will put them on the National Registry for free and also make sure they are listed as a Sponsor for Christine. Here's my email address again:
jacobkrueger@gmail.com
You can find out more about the registry and the donation procedure at this website:
www.marrow.com
In the next few days, we'll be setting up a Myspace account to keep you updated on Christine's progress. Let me know if you'd like to be included and I'll add you to the list.
We are exploring alternative methods of treatment as well. So if you know of anyone who's had success treating cancer with any methods, please let me know so I can pass the information on to Christine.
Finally, a request from Christine. If it fits with your beliefs, she'd like you to say a prayer for her tonight.
Thanks so much for your help,
Jake
PS. Regardless of your ethnic background, if you're interested in donating please feel free to contact me and I will put you in touch with an organization that can help put you on the registry.
I also received an email forwarded from Sean Kent today. Apparently Christine "needs a bone marrow transplant within the next 2 months to survive." There is a health fair this Sunday in the SF Valley where you can take a free test. From Sean: "Christine's hospital - City of Hope - has agreed to rush getting the results for anyone who is tested at this event!!!!!! This is a great opportunity to save our friend's life!!!"
Details:
Our Lady Of Peace Parish
15444 Nordhoff St
North Hills, CA 91343
Thanks for reading.
Posted by glyphic at February 2, 2006 11:41 AM
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Comments
Hey man, cool blog. Check out mine when you have a moment at http://grindblog.blogspot.com. I'll do a link exchange if you want.
I'm also working on a program to help fellow poker bloggers monetize their traffic if you'd like to take part. Email me at grindblog@gmail.com for more information.
Cheers
Bill
Posted by: Wild Bill at February 2, 2006 12:40 PM
Give Christine my very best. She will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Posted by: Felicia at February 5, 2006 03:19 PM
What kind of low-life piece of crap posts comment spam on a post like this?
Posted by: DuggleBogey at February 10, 2006 11:24 AM
I saw this in Wil's blog. I'm only half Filipino but I would be willing to donate. Please send me info.
Posted by: Tea at February 11, 2006 05:43 AM
I've reprinted Wil Wheaton's post on this in my blog and gotten several other bloggers in the UK to push this issue too. I hope something comes of it. Chritine and Jake are in my prayers.
PJ@http:\\dispatcherjournal.blogspot.com
Posted by: johnboy ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.studioglyphic.com/mt/nav-commenters.gif)
at February 12, 2006 05:18 AM
I passed the message on to a friend who is Filipino and she said she would pass it on to her family and friends. However, we live in Canada, so I'm not sure if its a international registry. I hope a donor is found in time. My thoughts are with your friend.
Posted by: Michele at February 12, 2006 10:46 AM
This is Jake, Christine's boyfriend. Thank you all so much for your help. To answer some questions that have been posted:
Almost all international registries are linked to the US registry, so if you live in Canada, the UK, etc Christine's doctors will automatically have access to your info.
A worldwide search of the existing registries has yet to turn up a match for Christine. We're estimating that we need to get 20,000 people registered to have a chance at a single person with compatible marrow. So please, keep posting, blogging and registering. Or even better gather your friends together and host your own drive.
Call 1-800-MARROW2 to set up a drive, or find a donor center near you. Registration is free for all minorities. Remind them to speed up processing of your sample for Christine Pechera. You'll be signing up on the general registry, which means even if you're not a match for Christine, you may be saving someone else's life.
You can also check out Christine's website:
www.savechristine.com
Thank you all so much for your help. And thank you Phil for posting my letter!
Jake
Posted by: Jake at February 12, 2006 02:20 PM
To locate a drive in your area, go to: http://www.bonemarrowtest.com/patient_services/calendar_of_drives/index.asp?ID=61
Posted by: donkeypuncher at February 12, 2006 08:46 PM
Jake/Christine, hope this goes all ok for you and a donor turns up.. I had the pleasure of donating bone marrow to an unrelated recipient about 8 years ago, I don't know how it turned out as they advise against knowing any details and to me at the time it was just like another blood donation, but taken under an anaesthetic. The hospital was good, looked after me and I had no ill effects had the op in the morning and by evening was allowed to go home. I had no ill effects from it and would urge anyone who was thinking about doing to go and at least get checked, it is a small enough chance to be the one in a million needed, but I didn't regret my decision to go ahead ever and would do so again if asked.
Sage
Posted by: Sage at February 13, 2006 09:02 AM
Hi Jake,
I'm very interested in donating. I came across Wil's website and saw his posts about Christine. I'll do everything i can to spread the word around. You may want to contact Opera. Seriously if anyone can spread the word around ...it's her. Im gonna go to her website and find out some info on how to contact her. If u need to reach me via phone let me know. Ill send u an email with my #. I will keep in touch. I will pray for both of u.
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa at February 21, 2006 11:57 AM
Hi this is Lisa Torres again,
I recently went to the Oprah Show website and wrote to the producers about Christine's medical emergency. Jacob or Wil I would strongly reccomend that you also write to the producers of the show to make our letters stand out more bc they prob get so many, but it was stated that they Do read all emails. Here is Oprah's website:
http://www2.oprah.com/index.jhtml
1st click on "Be on the Show"
2nd click on Regular features
3rd click on "We Want Your Show Ideas"
I hope this helps a little. I will try to spread the word on Myspace. I would also like to donate ..let me know any details.
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa at February 21, 2006 12:28 PM
im praying 4 both of u. i so wish i cud help bt im not old enuf or of da rite efnicity, sorry
sincerely, a diferent jake
Posted by: Jake Freeman at February 22, 2006 05:25 AM
Christine,I will keep a picture of you by my bedside so and will not for get to say a pray for you and your beautiful family friends.
God bless you,
Florence
Posted by: Florence Cook at April 29, 2006 04:59 PM