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Written by Administrator
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Thursday, 19 August 2004 |
I have never strongly believe in something as getting people on the bone marrow list. I met the young teen Tom Garrett the person I donated bone marrow too and he only had 3 weeks to live before he got bone marrow. I am sure that there are many people in the world that don't get the chance to get bone marrow. I want to make sure people are aware how to get on a list. If there is anyone that wants more information on how to get on a list or want is involved then please write or call me. Click here to see what is involved in getting on the marrow list, and how they take the marrow out.
After you get a bone marrow transplant there is a 30% to 50% chance you will get Graph Versus Host Disease. It is when the bone marrow attacks the body. The one treatment they have been using is called Photopheresis and it is helping alot of people. The only places in Canada that the treatment available, is in Calgary and Vancouver. There are many people in Ontario that are suffering and never get the photopheresis treatments because they don't want to spend the money to send them out. The one gentleman in Toronto has GVHD and here is his comments.
"My present physical situation (November 2005) is as follows. I am in constant pain as a result of the tightening of the skin around my torso, neck and thighs. Open lesions come and go at will at the back of each armpit causing excruciating pain. The tightening and resulting scar tissue has restricted my mobility and movement of my arms. My breathing is restricted as a result of the tightening of my torso and with every breath I take I am reminded of my illness. "
This is the reason I am trying to fight so hard to get a machine here in Ontario. I believe that if you have read my thoughts then if you walk away and do nothing, then it would be like walking away and doing nothing when you see someone drowning and you hope someone will help them. Well guess what, if everyone is hoping that someone will help then nothing gets done. If everyone does a little than alot gets done.
I started a website or Tom Garrett in July when I met him to give updates on Tom and get him treatments. He needed treatments and the government wasn't paying for them because it was out of Province. They finally agreed to pay for them after the media events. Now we are trying to put pressure on the government thru the media to get the mothballed machine running. If you can help then please let me know.
Ron Giles
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 29 August 2007 )
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