Be The Match - Support Bone Marrow Registry
Stacy Contreras spoke supporting the need for a bone marrow match to for her husband Chris and others who are in need of life saving treatment. It is an easy cheek swab to determine if you are a match for Chris or many others in desperate need.
June 2, 2016
Announcements:
Birthdays – A fabulous cake was presented for our two Rotarians in honor of their Birthdays tonight, Bob Moeller and Dave Reed.
Cass has five tickets are for June 7, the annual fundraiser for "Friends Care: a Dinner in Sacramento this is the organization who supports kids at risk.
Cass reported there is still spots available for Bocce Ball, June 18 in Martinez.
Ruth’s Analysis of the year end in review is due and a team is needed to complete it. Contact Ruth if interested.
Paul reminded all to encourage members to read the Bulletin and spread the word about our upcoming change in meeting day and place.
"You are a gift to the world" award was presented to Matt by Ruth for always seeing the larger picture, the larger view, generous with time and talent, always moving forward and teaching at all times.
Program:
Stacy Contreras spoke regarding bone marrow registry and her husband need for a bone marrow transplant due to diagnosis last fall of Aplastic Anemia. She started “Team Chris” and bone marrow drives here in Woodland and the surrounding areas. He is in need of a Hispanic donor match. Be The Match supports families and individuals with bone marrow drives to find donors. Immune suppressant therapy has been successful so far with Chris, but he will ultimately need a bone marrow transplant. Ages 18-44 are eligible to have a painless cheek swab to register for potential matches for a cure. You can also donate blood and platelets for individuals in need. Chris has needed many transfusions of platelets. Stacey is able to do the simple cheek swab. Contrary to what is seen on TV, marrow can be harvested from the arm/IV 70% of the time, filtering the blood, 30% of the time it is extracted from the hip bone. Team Chris had a recent run at Fliers Club to raise awareness, obtain cheek swabs and collect donations for Be The Match. There is also a Facebook page to check in. To help, you can host a blood drive and encourage the simple cheek swab. June 24 is River Cats Day for Team Chris, blood source will be there as well. Money raised is donated to Be The Match organization. Cheek swabs are taken at food truck Sundays. She was instrumental in the State passing a bill for May as awareness month for bone marrow registry. For more information, contact Stacy at stacycontreras@yahoo.com or www.bethematch.org