Help Save A Life

To the Editor:

I am writing to you in hopes that you can find it in your heart to help a very dear friend of mine who has just recently been diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia. This is a family who are close neighbors of ours and their two wonderful children are the best of friends with our children. He has just finished his second round of chemotherapy treatment and is now looking for a bone marrow donor. His strength and courage to get through this stems from his unequivocal hope that someone will step forward and help him survive this life-threatening disease. He hopes to be in a position to receive a bone marrow transplant in the next few months. To make this a reality for him, myself and a few close friends are reaching out to assist him in narrowing down his search.

The Hendrick Marrow Program is currently working with the Jimmie Johnson Foundation on a nationwide campaign called the NASCAR Foundation Blood and Marrow Drive to encourage people to give blood and join the NMDP Registry for volunteer marrow donors. There is usually a fee to join the registry, but through this campaign individuals can join for free from September 7 to September 22. Even if they are not a match for my friend, they may be able to help another patient that desperately needs a transplant. The web link is: www.marrow.org/HELP/Events/NASCAR/index.html; click on “Join online now. ” It only takes a few minutes to register and give life to someone in need. Again, free registry is through September 22. Please help save a life.

Jeanene and Tony Chieffo

Marlin Road, Sandy Hook                                    September 15, 2008