Last week we got a letter from the bone marrow donor coordinator. Unfortunately, the doctor decided that now is not the right time for a donation. They can't tell us why exactly, but it could be for a number of reasons. Sometimes the patient isn't ready for a transplant yet, sometimes they have gotten too sick, the treatment plan has changed, etc. The coordinator added Adam back to the donor list, so that he can be matched with another patient. Should things change with the original patient, they may call him back down the road for a donation.
I can't help but feel a connection to this patient on some level. This person that we will never meet and never know. In fact, we don't even know where this patient lives, be it local or in another country. All that we do know is that the patient is 64 and a man. This man is probably someone's husband, someone's father, someone's son. I pray that the patient is still living. I pray that he will still be able to get a donation at some point, and that we may be able to help. So, we start down towards donation again. It could be next month that Adam gets called to donate again, or it might be years.
I have a challenge for all of my friends and readers. Please visit the Be the Match site and learn a little more about bone marrow donation. If you are eligible to donate, please consider joining the registry. If you can not afford the kit, please check back as they will from time to time receive donations that allow for free registration kits. Many are surprised to learn that the actual procedure is painless, and most only have mild aches for a few days after the procedure. Check out some myths and facts about bone marrow donation here. Some employers even will provide paid leave for the donation without you having to tap into your sick or vacation time.
You could be the one that saves the life of a child, a mother, a father, or a friend.
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