Hi, My name is Pat! I am 11 years old and I have Leukemia. Can you please help me save the lives of people who need a bone marrow transplant?
Recently, someone I knew died from Leukemia after they were unable to find a matching bone marrow donor. I was scared that one day I may need a bone marrow transplant and may not be able to find a matching donor. That day I decided to do something to help and the idea of DRIVING FOR DONORS was born.
Our plan is on May 15, 2007, I will begin DRIVING FOR DONORS! My family and I are going to drive across the country in a special "Donormobile" . We will host Bone Marrow donor drives and add potential donors to the National Marrow Donor Program Registry. Our goal is to add 2,007 NEW DONORS in 2007!
To learn more about Driving For Donors - or to make a much needed contribution, please go to our website:
www.drivingfordonors.com
After putting my dream on paper, I realized this is going to cost a lot of money! I have many wonderful people working with me on this campaign. But, it will cost a lot of money to live on the road and a WHOLE lot of money to pay for the tissue typing fee for each new donor.
I thought it was free to become a marrow donor (like it is free to give blood) and be listed in the National Marrow Donor Program Registry. But we found out that it cost $52 to pay for the tissue typing fee for each donor! Yikes!
Did you know that 70% of people who need a bone marrow transplant won't find a match within their own family and must rely on the National Marrow Donor Program Registry to find a matching donor?
I am very stubborn. I know I will beat Leukemia and I know this drive to help find new donors will be a success! And I need money to do it. Please visit our new web site to learn more about our drive. The web site is new and we are still adding to it.
So, when I finally gave in and shaved my head (because my hair was falling out from the chemotherapy), I asked my parents for permission to put advertising space on my gorgeous bald head in exchange for donations for Driving For Donors. They agreed that I am driven and a little crazy, but they also thought raising money to save lives is a great idea! So,that's what I'm auctioning.
I decided to post an ad on eBay to put advertising on my head. Please go to eBay and type this item number in the SEARCH box - 170049180986
Thank you from the bottom of my heart....Pat