About a month ago, I read a post on a friend’s facebook profile posting about someone he knows who is in need of a stem cell transplant to survive. There were some questions going back and forth about it, and I chimed in and commented on what I knew about it. I hadn’t thought about it at the time, because all I was doing was offering knowledge that I had from my past experiences.

It has been almost four years exactly since Shari found out that she needed to have a bone marrow transplant. Four years since I began to learn about bone marrow donation, stem cell transplants and so much more. 

The man who’s life needs saving is Dr. Mark Spiegle. If you read the hyperlink you can read about Mark’s story. He has battled cancer before and now has been diagnosed again with mylodysplastic syndrome (MDS). If this sounds familiar it is because this is the same blood cancer that Robin Roberts from Good Morning America had last year. She was able to have a stem cell transplant from her sister Sally. Mark isn’t so lucky. He needs to find a match to save his life.

This is where you all come in once again. One Match, which is part of blood services has changed the age requirements for Canadians to be swabbed and added to the bone marrow registry. If you are healthy and between 17 to 35 years of age – WE NEED YOU! 

Right now there are two bone marrow swabbing events booked and confirmed. There will be more to come but here is where will be:

Sunday September 29th – from 10am – 4pm
Holy Blossom Temple – 1950 Bathurst Street (south of Eglinton)

We do want to target the TARGET group so we will be having a drive at the University of Toronto on:
Tuesday October 1st – from 11am – 5pm
If you are a student at Uof T, if you have a child at UofT, or know anyone in the target range that will be downtown on October 1st – WE  NEED YOU!

A facebook page has been created as well – please join, share on your wall and let’s get the word out.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1414379965450813/

As we approach the eve of Yom Kippur and our time of reflection and introspection, we should understand that we can all make a difference. If you are over the age range for one match, and you want to volunteer, you can send an email to swabformark@gmail.com and if you have any questions you can call 416-951-3873 for more information.

If I can ask one thing of you all who are reading this, please share this post on your facebook wall, or your twitter feed. You are not just helping Mark hopefully find his match, but there are over 900 Canadians that are waiting for their perfect match.

Have an easy and meaningful fast if you are doing so.

Lisa