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What an extraordinary week and a half this has been. First, and most importantly, Travis is tolerating his ongoing chemotherapy extremely well, playing like a "normal" 5 1/2 year old (except no swimming -- with the central line)! It is a complete boost to our whole family to see his energy and sweet, positive mood. He and Spencer are having a ball together.
Last weekend, Joe was able to be in Minneapolis for that bone marrow drive for Travis and represent our family. He was brimming with fulfillment from the energy and support for our son (and those like him needing a BMT). To meet the people in person was a true gift for Joe. Due to the hard work of our relatives and friends in the Twin Cities, over 320 people came in to be entered into the bone marrow registry on June 12 (at full ABDR testing)! We are so grateful.
Then, last Thursday, I was able be in Duluth at the last minute (tied in with a business trip to Minneapolis for work) to be at the second day of their 2-day bone marrow drive at St. Lukes Hospital. As I wasn't able to be in Minneapolis or at the Beth Tikvah drive here, and after Joe's experiences, I felt the need to be in Duluth with my long-time friends and my parents to represent Travis and thank everyone and breathe Lake Superior air. Here is some of what I experienced that adds to our now complete faith in people:
1,000 people came to be tested!!! In a town of some 90,000 people, that's incredible.
My childhood friends, my former skating pro and other incredible people on this organizing committee had signs and pictures of Travis all over, balloons on the street (and for the kids) and signs capturing drivers' attention to get everyone to the drive. All three TV stations ran stories about Travis and the drive (with home video clips of Travis dancing and laughing), as well as 3 local papers and several radio stations including interviews with my parents about our need for a match.
One day one, the drive exceeded the committee's expectations of total attendance -- and the testers ran out of vials! My girlfriends (who picked me up in Mpls) and I had to detour in Mpls and pick up more vials and labels to deliver to Duluth and get them through day 2! The blood center people worked non-stop -- they were wonderful. Thank you, Memorial Blood Center.
The committee ran out of money to do full testing on the attendees and would have had to require full payment by attendees or turn people away, had it not been for the overwhelming support we received at 7:30 pm on day 1 from a generous individual who guaranteed that we would have whatever funds were needed to cover the entire drive at the ABDR testing level (even though it likely means $35,000.). We're talkin' big tears here.
The drive was so busy that my Dad (retired physician) was needed to do the health history questions for those in line and my Mom was enlisted as a volunteer to hand out paperwork at the door. (I walked by my Mom at one point and she had tears in her eyes. I asked if she was ok and she said "Yes, I think someone just smiled at me!" That's how we were all day -- tears brimming and flowing at the drop of a hat.) I just hugged and cried and laughed with old and new friends all day.
Throughout the entire drive, St. Lukes employees in hospital garb were lined up to be tested during or after their work day. I think everyone came but the patients!
A couple from New York on their honeymoon came to be tested and registered.
A young woman whose brother, Ricky, was diagnosed 16 years ago with ALL at age 3 and died at age 6, came to be tested in honor of Ricky and to help save Travis.
A high school classmate of mine who has cancer and is hoping to receive an experimental heart pump came to offer moral support. Six years ago doctors had given him 8 months to live. His positive attitude and smiles were like medicine to me.
People drove in from nearby and not-so-nearby towns -- just to be tested.
On a personal note, my crazy friends Steph and Nancy reminded me how important it is during times of crisis to take time for ourselves. They kidnapped me (under a flimsy excuse) and took me to have my hair done (I looked like hell - to be sure!) and dip my feet in Lake Superior. I felt like a new person afterwards. Only lifelong girlfriends would think of this! Thanks, you guys.
Travis made a videotape thanking everyone for being at his bone marrow drive, wishing them many times "have a nice day" and hoping that they would be a match.
Signs were posted throughout, with info re: drive location and times. The signs read:
"Travis Yon (Goldish) Marrow Drive: A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drive, but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child." Isn't that the truth.
Many more stories, but there are other things to tell... Suffice it to say, I am continually amazed at the outpouring of love and support for Travis and our family and the people who did honor to my parents by being tested at the drive. Their contributions to the community have been vast over the years. I was exhilarated and exhausted upon my return home. Duluth is a jewel of a town -- not just for the lake and the hills -- it's the people who make it even more remarkable. Thank you so much, my wonderful friends and Mom and Dad and St. Lukes Hospital, for making this happen.
FYI, when a match is found for Travis, we will not know who it is, where they are from or from what drive they were registered. The National Bone Marrow Registry requires that the donor and patient family remain anonymous for at least one year, and then by mutual consent can communicate with one another. Of course, we will want to communicate...
We have received word that additional drives will be taking place in Houston, Philadelphia, Minneapolis and San Francisco and other cities, at corporations who are clients, friends, former employers and people who care and can make it happen at their companies. Also a drive in Washington D.C. coming up. Thank you everyone.
Travis and Spencer are becoming collectors of postcards from around the world from well-wishers! Among the many places: Mexico, Puerto Rico, Dubai (United Arab Emirates), Singapore, Portugal and Tokyo. They (and we) love 'em!
There was a wonderful article printed in the July 10 edition of the Chicago Jewish News with a cover story about Travis. It so captures the essence of his generous, courageous and sweet personality. Please do read it. It's worth a read. Try this url http://www.chijewishnews.com or on aol go to keyword "Jewish", then news, then newspapers to the article. (it is text only)
Someone I work with recently ran in a marathon in honor of Travis, and said she could hear his voicemail message to her saying "You can do it, Sarah!" the whole way. When she almost had to quit, she said to herself "This step is for Travis" each step until she crossed the finish line.
Our journey is horrifying but incredible with the way people have come together. In the meantime, we take one day at a time and pray for a perfect match for Travis. Thank you for being there for him and for us.
Love, Melanie, Joe, Travis and Spencer