33yrs old female
Profession: Pharmacologist.
I became involved with Team in Training and the Leukemia&Lymphoma Society in January 2006 as a participant in their marathon training program. I was typed at a LLS event in April 2006 and found out I was a match in January 2007. When the donor specialist from the National Marrow Donor Program asked me my thoughts about donating my stem cells and/or bone marrow, I didn't even allow her to finish her sentence and immediately said, YES! I asked if we could expedite the procedure ASAP because I understood what stem cells/bone marrow mean to a recipient.
I underwent physical examinations and various blood tests at Stanford Medical Center for a few weeks. At the end, I was given the green light to donate. I was given the drug, Neupogen(Filgrastim) for five days followed by the collection process on the fifth day. Neupogen is given via injections in the arm(at least that's where I got them) and mobilizes stem cells. On March 5, 2007 I underwent a two day procedure to collect my stem cells. The only side effect I experienced was bone pain and headaches, which is nothing compared to what the patient experiences.
The recipient is a 54 year old East Indian woman with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia and had her transplant a few days after I donated. She has responded to the donation and I'm praying she continues to do so. I don't know her and that doesn't matter, I'm at peace with knowing that she has a fighting chance.
This experience has made me look at life differently. I was asked by numerous people if my recipient or another patient needed stem cells or bone marrow, would I do it again. My response was and is, of course! It is a privilege to be able to help another human being and besides it is only blood.
I have continued my involvement with Team in Training/Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and run marathons(I know I am crazy!) with hopes of finding a cure for Leukemia and other blood disorders.
Dear Meenu, We're partnering
Dear Meenu,
We're partnering with the NMDP here at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and would like to share your story with potential donors. Please let me know if that's Ok with you.
Asha Sen
Cancer community
Hello all
I been working on a community for cancer patients. I wish to hear from people involved in changing how things work with AML, CML.
www.oncopatients.com is the planned portal.
This portal is only for patients and caregivers.
Real people who has know how about specific types of tumor could provide ur insides..
Regards
RA
Go Team! Thanks for being an
Go Team! Thanks for being an angel.
Your story is inspiring and
Your story is inspiring and humbling.
Am still scared by the prospect but hopefully will come around to register in a day or two.
I consider you guys (who
I consider you guys (who have been a match with someone in need) as blessed individuals. Not all of us have that honored priviledge. I would literally do anything to be able to donate my marrow / stem cells to someone in need. The side effects are a joke compared to the treasure I have for a lifetime.
You people stand as a
You people stand as a motivating factor. There is no point in saying that we are educated when we are scared to donate.We know that donating the bone marrow doesn't impact us in any of our daily routine, but still we are afraid ..WHY??? Then imagine the illiterates.... Please help each other..Please donate....
May God Bless You with a
May God Bless You with a Long and Happy Life.
hi.i really feel very
hi.i really feel very happy.'coz in these mechanical days also,there are people like u.i was really inspired.hope vinay will recover very soon.meenu didi i really like u.keep goin on n i wish u the best too.
This totally inspires me to
This totally inspires me to join the donor registry. I hope it will help someone in the future.Wat use is our life to us if we cant help another human being in distress?
Good job.God bless u & ur family.
Hello You had done a great
Hello
You had done a great job. God bless you.
Jay
What can I say, except that,
What can I say, except that, it is people like you who keep this planet going around.
I am humbled.
Congratulations. Its great
Congratulations. Its great to read about people like you who walk the talk.
Hope Vinay and all the others in the waiting find a suitable match soon.