“It’s a beautiful day to save lives,” is a line often spoken by Dr. Derek Shepherd on the hit television show Grey’s Anatomy right before he is about to perform surgery.  I am no doctor.  Nor do I pretend to play one on T.V.  But I can save lives.  Sure, I donate blood.  I try to donate every 56 days as allowed by the American Red Cross.  However, today, a sample of cheek cells from inside my mouth was collected with a cotton-tipped swab.  Why?  I registered to become a marrow donor through the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP).  The NMDP was established in 1986 and its primary goal is to identify unrelated donors for patients in need of a blood stem cell transplant but who have no family member who is a suitable tissue match.  According to the NMDP website, on any given day, there are over 6,000 men, women and children searching the Registry for a life-saving match. There are people with life-threatening blood diseases that can be treated with a blood stem transplant.  Like, for example, Rob Purgert.  I read about Rob last week in a local newspaper.  On October 2, 2008, Robert Purgert, a freshman at Saint Ignatius High School in Cleveland, Ohio, was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia.  Rob’s family and friends (his classmates at school, in particular) have rallied on behalf of this young man and are organizing donor registration opportunities for those in the community who would like to be screened as a potential marrow donor.  No one in Rob’s family is a match.  I knew before I even finished reading the article that I, without hesitation, would agree to be a marrow donor.  Not sure if you have what it takes?  Here are excerpts from the Facebook group, which has over 1,200 members, that one of Rob’s classmates, Alex Barnes, is managing: 

On October 4, Robert began his chemotherapy.

October 10 is Rob’s 7th day of Chemotherapy. He is using 2-5 different types of chemo. Also, his brothers and sisters are coming into Cleveland today and will be able to spend the weekend with him.

He finished up his first dosage of chemo on Oct. 14

Oct. 19 is Rob’s 17th day in the hospital. Now that his chemo has ended, his Neutrophils (white blood cells) are at 10, and when they reach 500 he will be able to go home for about a week! Then, he will have a bone marrow biopsy to see how much cancer remains, and then he will begin round 2 of chemotherapy or he will need a bone marrow transplant, depending on the results of the biopsy. Please continue to keep him in your prayers, Rob and his family are very appreciate of all your support!

Robert’s hair has fallen out. Rob’s white blood cell counts and fluxtuating up and down, but the doctors said they will bounce around a little before they come up. Please continue to pray for and encourage him.

Rob got to go home on Monday, November 3!!!! His white blood cell counts were 270, enough to let him go home. On November 5, his counts were up to 440, so there is a possibility that he will be able to come to school on Thursday and Friday!!!

Rob made it to school on November 6 and 7, and even on Tuesday the 11 too!!

Rob was readmitted into the hospital on Wednesday, November 12 to start Round 2 of chemotherapy. Also, he got tested for AML in his spine. Please pray that his test results go well. This round will last approximately one week, then he will still need to in the hospital to rebuild his white blood cell count.

On November 14, Rob’s tests came back showing NO SIGN OF CANCER IN HIS BONE MARROW OR SPINAL FLUID. This was great news for his family. Rob finishes up round 2 of chemo on Nov. 20. Please keep up the prayers that Rob can remain cancer free as he goes through his chemotherapy.

From Nov.12-20 Rob underwent his second round of Chemotherapy. His white blood cell counts have hit 0, so now he will spend a couple weeks building it back up again. He will then be able to go home and this cycle will continue for five rounds of chemo.

Rob was able to be home for Christmas!! He also was able to attend a full week of classes before break. He has been able to spend a lot of time with his family and friends over this break.

Sorry for not updating in a while….
January 27, Rob came home, finishing up his 3rd round of chemo. He will be able to spend his BIRTHDAY at home on the 28th!!!!

Each and every day is a beautiful day to saves lives.  Visit www.marrow.org or call 1(800) MARROW-2 for more information.  Life is in you.  Share.

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