Local Boy Needs Bone Marrow Transplant

[Dymphna]

I got this in my email today. I know someone who knows this boy's aunt, so I am certain this is not some sort of scam.

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Dollars For Dylan
36596 Notley Hall Road
Chaptico MD 20621

Dear Sir or Madam,

My nephew Dylan Brown, age 12 is in critical need of a bone marrow transplant. Dylan was diagnosed with T-Cell Leukemia on March 4, 2004 and it had been in remission for the past two months until August 13, 2004. Dylan is currently at Children’s Hospital in DC undergoing chemo treatments.

We are presently working with the NIH and Red Cross putting together a Bone Marrow Drive to help find a match for him or some other child that may be in need. The cost of testing is $65 per person, Dollars for Dylan is trying to raise funds to help offset the expenses to possible donors so that there will be a tremendous turn out. We would greatly appreciate any consideration of a contribution that your organization could donate towards this effort.

Dylan and my family are life long residents of St. Mary’s County, he attends Holy Angels Sacred Heart School in Avenue and will be in the 8th grade.

If you should require additional information concerning Dollars for Dylan Fund Drive, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thank you.


Becky Gibson & Family
(301) 769-3290
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[Kain99]

Rachel babysits for this family..... They are having a huge party where everyone who attends will be tested. We are praying.

 

[huntr1]

Is bone marrow tied to blood type?

 

[Dymphna]

Is bone marrow tied to blood type?

To a certain extent. As I understand it, blood type is one factor in making a match, but just because you have the same type, it doesn't mean you'd be a match.

 

[kwillia]

It's for real.... I know Dylan and his family. I will be walking in Leonardtown with "Dylan's Gang" raising money for Leukemia research on October 2nd...

 

[Kain99]

It's for real.... I know Dylan and his family. I will be walking with "Dylan's Gang" raising money for Leukemia research in Leonardtown on October 2nd...

Small World... See ya there Kwillia! Anyone else who wants to join the walk contact me via PM and I'll hook ya up.

 

[huntr1]

How does one go about getting tested to see if they are a match?

 

[nomoney]

when are they actually going to do the bone marrow testing?

 

[kwillia]

Small World... See ya there Kwillia! Anyone else who wants to join the walk contact me via PM and I'll hook ya up.

 

[Kain99]

when are they actually going to do the bone marrow testing?

This is what I understand.... Testing costs $65.00 per person tested. The family is actively attempting to receive funding to reduce the cost to all of those who attend. Currently They have it down to just around $40.00 bucks per person (considering 1000 attend) When they get to $25.00 they will set the date. I left a message for Michelle. When she calls back I'll let ya guys know the real deal.

 

[nomoney]

This is what I understand.... Testing costs $65.00 per person tested. The family is actively attempting to receive funding to reduce the cost to all of those who attend. Currently They have it down to just around $40.00 bucks per person (considering 1000 attend) When they get to $25.00 they will set the date. I left a message for Michelle. When she calls back I'll let ya guys know the real deal.

what about the people that wouldn't mind offsetting the cost of the testing by paying the whole thing themselves?

 

[Kain99]

what about the people that wouldn't mind offsetting the cost of the testing by paying the whole thing themselves?

As soon as I hear back I'll let ya know the details. Promise.

 

[cattitude]

Went through this with my best friend not long ago. The individual preliminary testing is fairly inexpensive. What costs THOUSANDS is the actual search. My friend paid out $11,000 in one shot and American Cancer Society paid out $5,000 (which only covered about 5 people). These costs are not covered by most insurance companies. If you'd like, I can get some of her references. She dealt with people all over the country over the last 5 years.

 

[huntr1]

Once you are tested, do they add your info to a database for future matching? i.e. I get tested for Dylan, but don't match, but then another person needs marrow and they check the database for matching donors?

 

[cattitude]

Once you are tested, do they add your info to a database for future matching? i.e. I get tested for Dylan, but don't match, but then another person needs marrow and they check the database for matching donors?

Yes..they ask you at the time of your testing if you're willing to be on the National (and International) Database.

 

[CableChick]

Small World... See ya there Kwillia! Anyone else who wants to join the walk contact me via PM and I'll hook ya up.

I walked last year in Solomon's. Comcast helped sponsor a team. My mom walked with me. She was diagnosed w/ CLL almost 2 years ago. She is still doing very well thank God. I was really thinking about walking this year, but Comcast isn't doing a team. The company already had prior commitments on this day!

 

[sleuth]

To a certain extent. As I understand it, blood type is one factor in making a match, but just because you have the same type, it doesn't mean you'd be a match.

How about the converse?

Can you disqualify someone by their blood type?

 

[kwillia]

Here's a link with some good info regarding bone marrow donation

 

[nomoney]

stupid question: would having lymes disease and/or west nile disqualify you from donating? ( I mean I know that crap is in the blood; but does it get in the bone marrow as well?)

 

[Chain729]

stupid question: would having lymes disease and/or west nile disqualify you from donating? ( I mean I know that crap is in the blood; but does it get in the bone marrow as well?)

You have to be in good health to donate. If they cure the disease and you still have time to prep for the donation (it can literally take months), then you could donate.

Sleuth, I'm almost positive that having a different blood type would dis-qualify you, but you'd be better off to ask a Doc. than me. I lost my father to GVHD June2003, and I've done quite a bit of research on the matter. I also have access to a lot more current and respectable information thanks to the comm college's resources (which are suprisingly, fairly extensive).