Urgent Message - Please Help a Member of our Temple Family

Dear Temple Shalom Family,

Our member, Andrea L. Katz has been battling Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma, is now in need of a stem cell transplant and is looking to us for help. She has asked me to forward the following e-mail about a virtual donor drive that she and her family are conducting. Such donor drives represent the essence of our most highly held mitzvah of Pikuach Nefesh (saving a life).

Our Temple Shalom family has responded generously in our participation in such efforts in the past, as I know we will to this drive. Please take a moment to read her request below and respond if you are able.

L'Shalom,

Rabbi David C. Levy

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Dear Family and Friends,

Since being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in December 2007 you have all asked me the same question: “How can I help?” In the past, I replied that other than your love, support, prayers and friendship there was not much you could do. Now, however, my circumstances have changed and I have a different answer to your question. You can help me – and others like me – in the most meaningful way by potentially giving the gift of life – your stem cells or bone marrow.

After relapsing in January 2009 and after receiving four different chemotherapy regimens, I am still not cancer free. I have become chemo-resistant so chemo is no longer a long-term option to keep me alive. I now need a stem cell transplant from an unrelated donor (unrelated meaning not from a sibling - unfortunately my sister Vivian was not a match). If I receive such a transplant, I could actually be cured!

Being a donor has never been easier. The vast majority of donors (about 80%) donate their stem cells through a process called peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) donation. The process is similar to donating plasma. It is non-surgical and outpatient.

You can potentially save my life and others like me by registering online between June 8 and June 15 to become a donor in the Be The Match Registry (formerly the National Marrow Donor Registry). The first 80 people who register in this timeframe will be able to register for FREE using the promotion code below. After that, there is a processing charge of $25.

Registering to be a donor is easy and is done online. Please follow these simple directions:

1. Visit www.marrow.org/JOIN/Join_Now/join_now.html
2. Enter promotion code AK01287 when prompted
3. Complete the registration questionnaire (it is a series of demographic and health questions to determine if you qualify to be in the registry – for example, you must be between the ages of 18 -60 to be in the registry).

If you qualify to be in the registry, you will receive a swabbing kit via US mail from the Be The Match Registry. All you need to do is swab your cheek with the enclosed swab and return it immediately in the postage-paid envelope. That’s it. You are then in the registry and you may be contacted in the future if you are identified as a potential match for me or someone else in need of a transplant.

IF YOU DO NOT QUALIFY BASED ON AGE OR HEALTH, OR YOU HAVE ALREADY REGISTERED, YOU CAN CONTINUE TO HELP ME AND OTHERS BY FORWARDING THIS EMAIL TO YOUR ADULT CHILDREN AND OTHER FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS. YOUNG MEN MAKE THE BEST DONORS AND ARE THEREFORE ESPECIALLY VALUABLE TO HAVE IN THE REGISTRY. THEREFORE, PLEASE ENCOURAGE YOUR SONS AND DAUGHTERS TO FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO THEIR FRAT BROTHERS AND SORORITY SISTERS.

IF YOU ARE GOING TO FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO OTHERS (WHICH I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE), PLEASE CONSIDER:

• CHANGING THE SUBJECT LINE OF THE EMAIL TO SOMETHING THAT WOULD BEST GET THE ATTENTION OF THE PEOPLE TO WHOM YOU ARE SENDING THE EMAIL
  
  
  
• INCLUDING AN INTRODUCTORY SENTENCE OR TWO THAT EXPLAINS YOUR CONNECTION/RELATIONSHIP TO ME

From the bottom of my heart, I thank you in advance for helping to potentially save my life or the life of someone else who is walking in my shoes.

May you be blessed with good health and a long life.

Love,

Andrea