Be the match for bone marrow

Published 8:43 am Friday, August 12, 2011

My name is Sue Draayer. My husband and I own M&S Outdoor Equipment. It doesn’t make a difference; it is just sometimes nice to put a face with a name.

In April of this year, my sister Julie, who lives in Arizona was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, which has to do with bone marrow. What a shock!

She went through one round of chemo, and it put her into clinical remission. That was great. Yesterday, she went in for her next round of chemo and found out the leukemia was back again — not as harsh, but, nevertheless, it came back.

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My brother and I were tested to see if we would match her bone marrow and be her donor. Neither of us matched (apparently that is not uncommon). This leukemia is treatable if she can get a bone marrow to match.

We are not going to have a benefit or an auction. What I would like to mention is the site one can go to, to sign up and be a bone marrow donor. How wonderful if someone from her hometown would be a match! The site is BeTheMatch.org. Once you get to the site, it will instruct you further.

If you would like to write Julie a note, she is registered on the site www.caringbridge.com, and her story and pictures are there. If anyone would care to send her a card, her address is Julie A. Ulrich, 1039 Zorrita Corte, Rio Rico, AZ 85648.

And, last but not least, tonight before you lift that fork to your lips, add my sister to your evening dinner prayer.

Sue Draayer

Albert Lea