Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Help Kate...

We're Finally ThreeLast week, I asked for prayers for this beautiful baby girl, Kate and her loving family, as they had just received the horrible news that Kate had been diagnosed with a very rare form of bone marrow disease and would be needing a transplant ASAP.  Prayers are still very much needed but there's also something else you can do that could save Kate or someone else's life - consider becoming a bone marrow donor.  Be the Match, is an organization that assists those needing bone marrow get matched with potential donors all over the world.  Last week, I went to their website and spent about 20 minutes filling out some medical and personal information and today I received my free testing kit in the mail so that I can start the process of joining the bone marrow registry.  I've got pictures below of what I received but trust me when I tell you, it took me no more than 10 minutes to read the directions, swab my mouth 4 times, and seal everything up to send back.  It was VERY easy...not to mention, quick!
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information and testing kit
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completed testing kit after 4 mouth swabs
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my testing kit repackaged and ready to send back!
I know this is an extremely personal decision and one that shouldn't be taken lightly so...if doing this isn't for you, there are other ways to help too...help spread the word about Kate and her needs by adding her to prayer lists, telling friends and family, or heading over to her family blog and grabbing the "pray for kate" button and adding it to your page.  You should also check out AP's blog, "I Love You More than Carrots", for additional info about this organization, the process, and the need for donors!

J

6 comments:

Kate Clower said...

I actually read your post about Baby Kate last week and immediately checked out Be A Match. I've already received my test kit in the mail. What an amazing cause and resource! I think I'm going to blog about it too.

I pray Baby Kate finds her match!

Kelli Kegley said...

Checking out the website today. Thanks for bringing this to our attention!

Melissa: Write it in Lipstick said...

This is always so hard when little ones are effected my niece had an inoperable brain tumor and it has been so devastating. I so wish I would help for with this cause but I have health issues that wont allow me at the time.

Megan said...

Awww, how sad. I can't imagine.

Now, I HATE needles and I've heard that donating bone marrow is very painful and truthfully I'd be TERRIFIED to do it.....but I feel like I should try. Thanks for sharing.

MommaM said...

Thank you so much for posting this. I have seen Kate's badge around TB, but wasn't sure what was going on.

I had no idea it was so easy to register and possibly save someone's life! Would you mind if I followed suit and posted about registering as a marrow donor on my blog?

the workaholic momma said...

No - PLEASE DO!!! Kate's family is trying to get the word out in every way possible and the more awareness the better!! And seriously, the testing process was SO easy!!