Bone Marrow Recruitment Effort

Sutton Elementary
2780 Sutton Rd. Adrian, Michigan 49221
517-423-2367
Debra Langmeyer, Principal

2-16-03

Dear Cancer Survivor's Network
I'm seeking information from anyone regarding possibly funding sources for costs for bone marrow tests. I'm organizing a drive next Sunday. I'm a cervical cancer survivor of 10 years. I have need to raise about $2,000. more dollars for a drive that is being held on Sunday, February 23rd. The text below is from the letter that has been distributed locally. I’m working with the American Red Cross and the National Bone Marrow Program. Thus far, we have 250 people signed up to be tested. Please contact me if you desire additional information. Thank you.

I’m writing to anyone and everyone who may be able to spread the word
to their friends, families, and business associates regarding the bone marrow drive.
Your help in spreading this information would be greatly appreciated!

A six-year-old boy, Cody Brennan from Blissfield, Michigan is in need of a bone marrow transplant. He has T-cell ALL Leukemia. We are in a race against time to save Cody’s life and other patients like him.

The only possible cure for Cody is a marrow transplant. Unfortunately, none of Cody’s family members has a matching marrow type. Therefore, my husband Bernie and I, as friends of Cody’s family have undertaken a search for an unrelated marrow donor.

Our recruitment efforts may add many names to the National Marrow Donor Program’s (NMDP) National Registry of unrelated marrow donors for Cody and other patients. The NMDP is a federally funded non-profit organization that maintains a database of volunteers willing to donate a portion of their marrow to patients in need of marrow transplants. The growth of the Registry gives increased hope to the thousands of patients who are looking for a matched donor. But for Cody, there is still no match and time is running out.

We have scheduled a bone marrow donor recruitment drive for Sunday, February 23 from 1:00-5:00 p.m. at Sutton Elementary, 2780 Sutton Rd, Adrian, MI 49221, phone 517-423-2367.

We’re seeking donations to help offset the cost of individuals to be tested, which costs $32.50 per person. We’re reaching out to everyone and anyone who may be able to help a little or a lot to help raise these needed funds.

Tax-exempt checks to help pay for testing can be made payable to the Hendrick’s Marrow Program, tax ID# 41-170-47-34 and mailed to Sutton Elementary at the address previously given. Please write Cody Brennan’s name in the memo line of the check. Do not write out a check to Sutton Elementary, only to the Hendrick’s Marrow Program.

We ask for your consideration for a financial donation so that Cody and other patients like him may receive a second chance at life.

If you have questions about our efforts to help Cody and other patients in need, or are willing to make an appointment to be tested on 2-23-03. Please call Debbie Langmeyer at 517-423-2367 at Sutton Elementary from 7:30-5:00 p.m. workdays and evenings/weekends at 517-447-3407, or email dlangme@tps.k12.mi.us.

If you would like more information about unrelated marrow transplantation or becoming a volunteer marrow donor, please call the National Marrow Donor Program at 1-800-Marrow-2. You may also check out their web site at www.marrow.org. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Debbie and Bernie Langmeyer
Friends Who Care