Stem Cell Drive

Hi all...this just in from Jon & Gretchen:

Gretchen and Jon would like everybody to know about a Stem Cell Drive to be held next week at Children’s Memorial Hospital, Tues and Wed, May 13-14, from 9:30am to 3pm. The Stem Cell Drive is an important cause because children (and adults) who are like Griffin can benefit from it. In fact, it can be a life-saving gift for those in need. On any given day, 6,000 patients search the National Marrow Donor Program registry for a marrow donor. They are hoping to find a volunteer donor, someone who is willing to help them. Donors with diverse racial or ethnic backgrounds are especially needed.

Fortunately, Griffin’s oncologists do NOT feel that he would need a bone marrow transplant at this time, but it’s sometimes the only option for those whose cancers relapse despite standard treatments.

Joining at the hospital is free. Parking is $4. The drive will be held in the Doctor’s Dining Room inside the cafeteria (on the lower level of the main hospital).

People can also join by going to the National Marrow Donor Program web site: www.marrow.org. Click “Join” under “Become a donor.” Joining is free for the first 10,000 people who join online between May 5 and 19.

Here’s the address to Children’s Memorial’s website for the donor drive: www.childrensmemorial.org/depts/stemcell/bone-marrow-donation.aspx

The coordinator at Children’s Memorial Hospital is Eileen Smyth, who also happens to be one of Gretchen’s friends from Good Counsel High School. For anyone who would like more information, feel free to contact Eileen at 312.802.1152 or esmyth@childrensmemorial.org