Saving Lives Is A Family Affair

Bone Marrow Recipient’s Cousin Donates Marrow
after Joining Registry on Cousin’s Behalf

When 11 year old Maddie Tomasko of Rockford, Michigan was clinging to life, hoping to find a bone marrow match for a potential lifesaving transplant to cure her leukemia, her parents Cheryl and Steve hosted several Be the Match® registry drives with Michigan Blood. Maddie had not found a match with her parents or three brothers (only 30% patients find a match with a direct reative), so they turned to the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP)’s Be the Match Registry for help. The Registry contains more than 10 million potential donors internationally, yet only 40% of the 10,000 patients who turn to the Registry each year find a match. The Tomaskos were committed to helping grow the Registry to help increase Maddie’s – and thousands of others – odds to find a match.

Fortunately, Maddie found a perfect match with a 20-year old stranger from New Jersey who joined the Registry as part of a drive at her college in Pennsylvania. Maddie underwent her transplant in June of 2011 and is now a healthy, thriving 7^th grader. She met her donor, Stephanie Pezzello, last summer at the World Trade Center Memorial. Their meeting spot not only pays tribute to all those volunteers who gave of themselves to save others on 9-11, but on that tragic day in 2001, only one non-military flight was allowed in the air following the attacks, and it was a bone marrow courier plane.

Pay It Forward

The Tomaskos hosted “Team Maddie” and “Maddie Pasta for Purpose” Registry Drives in 2011 and 82 people stepped forward to join the Registry.  One was Maddie’s cousin, Jason Walcott. Jason had watched how Maddie’s life was saved by Stephanie’s generous donation, and he wanted to do the same. The likelihood of a perfect match is slim – one in every 540 people on the Registry gets a call. “It was the least I could do,” said Jason. “I was really hoping to get a call – Maddie is here today because someone else stepped up.”  Jason did, and earlier this year he went to Michigan Blood’s Grand Rapids donor center (1036 Fuller NE) to donate his bone marrow for a patient with a rare form of cancer of the blood. 

The National Marrow Donor Program does not allow donors or recipients to learn of each other’s identity for one year following the transplant, and each party must agree to the release of contact information.

Life on the Sidelines 

Maddie joined her 21-year old cousin Jason during his six hour donation process, along with her mom and Aunt Pat, Jason’s mom. “We wanted to keep Jason company because we could imagine what his recipient and family were going through,” said Maddie. Cheryl added, “When you are holding your breath for the courier to arrive and you know just how sick your loved one is, all your energy is going toward keeping the marrow donor healthy so nothing goes wrong. To be watching Jason donate, it brought everything full circle.” 

Jason’s mom Pat, added: “We walked the road with Maddie and now we are on the other side.  This creates several different emotions – it reminds us of what Maddie went through, and knowing the reality of what Jason's recipient is going through is very tough. Now I know what Stephanie’s family went through and I am so proud of my young son. We were so focused on keeping Jason healthy and that everything went well, and now we can’t wait to get correspondence from the National Marrow Donor Registry staff. To know that Jason joined the Be the Match Registry to help his cousin Maddie, and now his marrow is helping save the life of a leukemia patient somewhere in the world, it is amazing and humbling. We encourage all 18-44 year olds to consider joining the Registry.”     

Michigan Blood’s Bone Marrow/Stem Cell Programs will host a Registry Drive on Monday, February 25, 2013 from 5-9 pm at The Mitten Brewing Company, 527 Leonard NW, in Grand Rapids. The Mitten Brewing Company selected Michigan Blood as its charity partner for the month of February, donating a percentage of sales all month to help offset testing costs to join the Registry. Marrow donors, recipients, staff and volunteers will be on hand to welcome guests and share their stories. For more information on joining the Registry, contact Kona Dominick, Michigan Blood – Stem Cell Programs Be The Match Representative, Office – 616-233-8516, Cell – 616-209-9228, kdominick@miblood.org

 

SVSU Assistant Football Coach Donates Marrow

Josh Miller may be known as a football coach amongst his peers, but a recent donation has given him another title - Lifesaver. 

Less than a year after signing up to join the National Marrow Donor Program’s Be The Match Registry at a bone marrow registry drive at Saginaw Valley State University, the SVSU assistant football coach received a phone call from Michigan Blood informing that he was a potential match for a middle-aged patient with multiple myeloma, a blood cancer that affects the immune system. The Saginaw Township resident proceeded with confirmatory testing and donated peripheral blood stem cells in January 2013.

“I wasn’t sure what would happen after I signed up, but I knew I wanted to do something to help,” said Miller, 26. “When I received the call I was excited that I could affect someone else’s life in such a big way.”

The Michigan Blood Stem Cell Program, a Be The Match Registry affiliate, recruits potential marrow donors to help patients in need of bone marrow and blood stem cell transplants. Patients with life- threatening blood-related illnesses depend on the Registry to find a matching donor. A bone marrow transplant replaces damaged or destroyed bone marrow with healthy bone marrow stem cells. This procedure can be used to cure illnesses such as leukemia, lymphoma and sickle cell.

Miller is a part of a small percentage of people who are called upon to make a marrow donation. On average, one in every 540 members of the Be The Match Registry in the U.S. go on to donate bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cells to a patient. With more than 10 million potential donors on the Registry, only four out of 10 patients find a match. To increase the number of matches, the Michigan Blood Stem Cell Program hosts registry drives to add potential donors to the Be the Match Registry. 

“Patients needing marrow transplants can only find a suitable match within their family about 30 percent of the time,” said Barbara Hile, program manager for Michigan Blood’s Marrow/Stem Cell Program. “The remaining 70 percent of matches are made between complete strangers through the Be the Match Registry. A marrow transplant is often the patient’s last, best chance for survival.”

Miller, an SVSU alumnus, says his eyes have been opened to the possibilities of giving back and encourages others to join the Registry.

“It’s a humbling experience to know that my contribution could help someone,” he said. “I’m hoping that others will consider joining the Registry. It starts with taking a little step and putting self to the side.”

To join the Registry, registrants must be between the ages of 18 and 44. The process includes filling out a health questionnaire and providing a cheek swab. The total cost to add a new member to the Registry is about $100. Michigan Blood fundraises throughout the year to offset the cost of tissue testing necessary for registration. Most often, a majority of these costs are covered and new registry members are asked to contribute only $25. Because of the need to diversify the Registry, those of diverse ethnic backgrounds are able to join at no cost with the help of federal funding. For more information, potential registrants can visit miblood.org or call (616) 233-8555.

ABC TV 12 picked up Josh's story.

ABC 12 – WJRT – Flint, MI

Laughter IS Good Medicine



Michigan Blood to Host Benefit Blood Drive for Gilda’s Club GR

Blue Care Network to Underwrite $10 Donation for Every Person Who Attempts to Give Blood with Matching Grant Provided by The Wege Foundation   •  Participants Eligible to Win Raffle Tickets to LaughFest

As the saying goes, “laughter is good medicine” and Michigan Blood, in partnership with Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids, Gilda’s LaughFest, Blue Care Network of Michigan, and The Wege Foundation, are out to prove it.   Together, they will host a special day long blood drive to support the children and adults of all ages who turn to Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids to support during their journey with cancer or grief and, true to their namesake Gilda Radner, find ways to laugh along the way. The blood drive will be held:

March 4, 2013
8 am – 7 pm
1036 Fuller NE, Grand Rapids
(South of Leonard, north of I-196 interchange)

With underwriting from Blue Care Network of Michigan, a $10 donation will be made to Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids’ High Five Children’s Grief Program for every person who attempts to donate during the special event. The Wege Foundation will match the amount raised, providing further support for grieving children who need to find their smile in the midst of what they are experiencing. Participants also will be eligible to win LaughFest tickets to:

•  The Shaquille O’Neil Presents: All Star Comedy Jam  -- March 8, 2013
•  Justin Willman, March 16, 2013 (Family Friendly Comedy and Magic)
•  Gary Valentine – March 17, 2013
•  Best of the Midwest Competition, March 14, 2013 – 10 comedians compete for $2500 prize

Erik Wolenberg, Manager of Marketing and Public Relations for Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids and Gilda’s LaughFest, notes: “We are thrilled that Michigan Blood and Blue Care Network are hosting this blood drive on our behalf. Cancer patients often need red blood and platelet transfusions to help counter the effects of their treatment and their loved ones often ask how they can help. By supporting the blood drive, they can help cancer patients at all of our local hospitals and a financial gift will be made in their name to Gilda’s Club’s High Five Children’s Grief Program. Plus, they may win some great LaughFest tickets. It’s a win-win-win for all … as we say, ‘we’re in this together.’ "

To donate blood, you must be 17 years of age (16 with parent or guardian permission), weigh at least 110 pounds, and pass the health screening.  Walk-ins are welcome. Appointments are preferred for donors’ convenience.  To schedule an appointment, call 1-866.233.miblood (642-5663), or online at https://donate.miblood.org/. 

For more information about Gilda's Club Grand Rapids, click here.

For the LaughFest line up (March 7 – 17), click here.

For information on ticket packages which blood drive participants are eligible to win:

• The Shaquille O’Neil Presents: All Star Comedy Jam  
  
• Justin Willman 
  
• Gary Valentine   
• Best of the Midwest Competition

Mlive picked up the story. Read about it here.

Teacher's Challenge to 4th Grade Students Inspires Community Service

One student raises over $500 first week to help patients needing bone marrow transplant

What do Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., a team of teachers in Rockford and Cedar Springs Public Schools, and some very ambitious fourth graders have in common? They want to ‘be the change they wish to see in the world,’ as was quoted by Gandhi, the preeminent leader of Indian nationalism in British-ruled India (1869-1948). 

For the past four years, Rockford Public Schools teachers Gail Falcinelli, Tim Woznick and Luanne Helsen have teamed up with Gail’s daughter, Lisa Falcinelli, who teaches 4^th graders at Cedar View Elementary in Cedar Springs.  The teachers kick off a project on Martin Luther King Day based on the classic children’s book, Martin’s Big Words, by Doreen Rappaport.  Using quotes from some of his beloved speeches, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., comes to life for the students, inspiring them to step outside themselves and make a difference in someone’s life.  

But this life lesson project goes far beyond Face Time with their book buddies and blogging. To help the students understand how blessed they are, while gently exposing them to how much need there is locally and globally, the teachers give each student $2 and encourage them to use the money to help someone.  Students enthusiastically dive in, opening their eyes to the vast needs in their community. Hunger … illness … homelessness … struggling veterans and isolated older adults … and that’s just for starters.  Next comes the ‘hard’ work … creating cards for hospital patients, visiting senior centers, donating to food banks, and brainstorming on how to “grow” thei rteachers’ cash for greater impact. In the process, the students are taught a third lesson: humility. Each approaches their project in a different way, as they learn their perspective and background guides them on their course of action. 

For Parkside Elementary fourth grader Tyler Vander Laan, he decided he wanted to use his teacher’s $2 investment to help the organization that gave his newborn baby sister life-saving blood hours after her birth. Tyler asked his mother Leda if there was a way to help Michigan Blood. Leda encouraged Tyler to share his story with others and ask them to consider making a donation to Michigan Blood’s Bone Marrow/Stem Cell Program so that patients needing a transplant to fight leukemia, lymphoma and 70 other blood related disorders could hopefully find a match through Michigan Blood’s affiliated Be the Match® Registry. Each year 10,000 people turn the Registry for a potential match; 4 out of 10 find a match, despite 10 million potential donors on the Registry. The way to help more people find a lifesaving bone marrow transplant match is to add more people to the Registry. Tyler’s goal was to raise $500 to help underwrite testing for additional people to join the Registry. (The average cost of testing is $100/Registrant).

Within one day, Tyler surpassed his goal and raised over $600 – then quickly raised his goal to $1000. Tyler created a custom Team Be the Match page and emailed a link to his page out to family members and friends asking them to support his fundraising/life-saving efforts. 

When Tyler visited Michigan Blood’s donor center at 1036 Fuller Avenue in Grand Rapids on January 29, 2013, he went for a tour and learned more about the importance of the program he is supporting. He also brought along his now 8 year old sister Nyla, mom Leda, and the classroom mascot, James the chameleon.  Tyler may have had a bit of trouble wrapping his brain around 10 million people on a registry and still only 40% find a lifesaving match, but he loved sharing how awesome his teachers are and the neat things his classmates are doing.   He also is looking forward to the ‘television news program’ they will shoot the third week of February and share with their book buddies in their partner classroom. This Today Show-like broadcast is a much anticipated celebration of all the students have accomplished. 

Tyler’s goal is to raise $1000 by February 13, 2013. He plans to be at the Rockford Ice Festival on Saturday, February 9^th (1-4 pm) at the RE/MAX United booth. RE/MAX United is donating the proceeds from the hot chocolate served. 

For more information about Michigan Blood’s Marrow/Stem Cell Programs and how to join the National Be the Match Registry, contact Kona Dominick at 616.233.8516 or check out www.miblood.org/marrow.  

Michigan Blood will host a Registry Drive on February 25, 2013 from 5-9 pm at The Mitten Brewing Co., (5-9 pm), 527 Leonard NW in Grand Rapids.  The Mitten Brewing Co. has selected Michigan Blood as its charity partner for the month of February. A percentage of food/beverage sales for the entire month will be donated to help offset the cost to join the Registry.

Michigan Blood Selected by The Mitten Brewing Co. as Charity Partner

The Mitten Brewing Co. has selected Michigan Blood and its Bone Marrow/Stem Cell Programs as the charity partner for the month of February 2013.  Patrons are encouraged to eat, drink, and be merry, and save lives all at the same time.  Throughout February, The Mitten Brewing Co. will donate a percentage of food/beverage sales to Michigan Blood’s Be the Match® Registry program.  Michigan Blood is affiliated with the National Marrow Donor Program’s international registry which matches patients needing lifesaving transplants to fight leukemia, lymphoma, and 70 other blood related diseases.  The registry currently contains over 10 million donors, yet only 4 in 10 patients find a perfect match.  The need to add more donors to the registry is critical, yet the average cost to do so is $100 per donor for testing.  Monies donated by The Mitten Brewing Co. from February sales will help offset testin

Lyndsay Israel, General Manager at The Mitten Brewing Co., notes:  “This really is serendipitous.  We were looking to support a local charity for the month of February and one of our patrons asked if we would consider Michigan Blood’s Be the Match® Program.   Their 12 year old daughter who had leukemia is alive and thriving today because a generous, anonymous donor from New Jersey had stepped up and joined the registry during a college drive.   One of our restaurant investors also brought the same idea to the table, having had a personal experience with a bone marrow transplant.  We just had to do it and we’re excited to do so!”

Kona Dominick, Michigan Blood – Stem Cell Programs and Be the Match® Representative, notes:  “Not only will they donate a percentage of sales all month long, The Mitten Brewing Co. will be open on Monday, February 25^th for a Be the Match® Program registry event. The drive will be from 5-9 pm and marrow donors, recipients, and staff will be on hand to meet guests and share their stories.  Food service will be available from noon to 9 pm.  The Mitten Brewing Co. is normally closed on Mondays.  The Registry Drive is open to the public and those 18-44 years old are eligible to join the national registry by doing a simple cheek swab test.”

The Mitten Brewing Co. is located at 527 Leonard St NW in Grand Rapids. They are open Tuesday through Saturday 11 a.m. to midnight and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. and are closed on Mondays (except Feb. 25, 2013). 

Questions about the National Marrow Donor Program and Be the Match Registry should be directed to Kona Dominick at 616-233-8516.