Just a few short weeks ago, one of my closest friends was getting ready for the holidays like the rest of us, when what he thought was a tooth infection turned out to be leukemia. Just like that, this forty something businessman went from buying Hanukkah and Christmas presents to fighting for his life.
Ed Schwartz has not complained or questioned the cards he has been dealt, nor has he rued how capricious life can be. He has face this thing head on with optimism and humor, even as the first rounds of chemo left him horribly sick and weak. The early good news is that early remission is likely as he prepares for his second round of treatment. What is not so comforting is that the particular sub-type from which he suffers can return with dire consequences.
The best path towards minimizing the chance of a recurrence is that of a bone marrow transplant. The key, of course, is a proper match; which is why I have chosen to reach out with this weeks column. Rather than indulge myself by venting my spleen, I though I might appeal to you good hearts in search of a match.
For what it is worth, Ed is a beautiful man who brings joy and warmth to everyone he meets. He is impossibly decent, as well as a good husband and father. He is the guy in the middle of the photo o the day of his wedding. His son is to his left, and that's me on the right. He is always for others, and now it is time for us to be there for him.
Below are the particulars of the match he needs as posted by his wife on Facebook and other outlets:
As of today, there is ONE possible 10 out of 10 match for him in the Donor Registry. Thus we will start to run Marrow Donor Drives starting now until we find a match for him.
Patients are most likely to match someone who share their ancestry. If you know of individuals who are Jewish, from 18 to 44 of age, with both parents that are of Ashkenazi descent - they could be a potential match for Ed. If they are open to registering with the Stem Cell/Bone Marrow Registry:
If they are in the NY/NJ area and could attend the Marrow Donor Drive on January 5, 2014, in Ridgewood NJ that would be great! If they are outside of the tri-state area, please ask them to go to www.Bethematch.org to register. They will receive a kit in the mail and it takes just two minutes to swab their cheeks to check if they are a match!
If you are on Facebook... could we ask that you share the following Event with your Facebook social network of friends and family?
https://www.facebook.com/events/617170858340539/?
That's the story. If you have any questions for me, I can be reached at Radiosojourner@aoil.com
