Saving Jasmina Anema!!!

The National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), located in Alexandria, VA, will lend their office space to conduct a Bone Marrow Donor Drive to find a potential donor for Jasmina Anema.

Date: Saturday, April 25, 2009
Time: 10AM - 3PM
Place: National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE)
1420 King StreetAlexandria, VA 22314

NSPE is located approximately 15 miles from Washington, DC in the Old Towne section of Alexandria, VA. They are within walking distance from the King Street Metro, which is on the Yellow and Blue lines. It is strongly encouraged that you take public transportation.

If you cannot attend the drive, please visit http://www.dkmsamericas.org/ to request a donor kit in the mail. As a non-profit organization, DKMS relies on the generosity of individuals to help finance the $65 cost DKMS pays to tissue type each bone marrow donor who registers. Donations are voluntary. Donate today! Every dollar counts! 100% of your donation, which is tax deductible, will be used to register donors and add them on the National Registry.

Send an email to: JoinTheBattle@gmail.com with any questions. More information will follow as it becomes available.


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Can we give President Obama A CHANCE?!

I wanted to take a little break from talking about Jasmina to discuss something that has been bothering me for some time now. I cannot figure out how it seems that ALL of the Republicans, and now some Democrats, expect President Obama to change the things going on with our economy over night! It's funny how no one said anything to Former President Bush when he was screwing our economy up. But, now everyone expects President Obama to be some sort of miracle worker, snap his fingers, and PRESTO - economy fixed! AMAZING!!! This crap of a mess did not happen over night, so how is it feasible that it can be fixed over night?!

President Obama hasn't even been in office a complete TWO MONTHS yet, and everyone is jumping down his throat over the fact that he isn't moving fast enough. I clearly remember him saying during his campaign that this, our economy, CANNOT be fixed over night. Um, were they not listening?! I know I was listening! How about this - GIVE THE MAN A CHANCE!!! I am sure for some more than others that this is easier said than done, but come on! How about you try…it's not that hard. This is just ridiculous.

Okay, I'm off my soapbox…for now. And now, back to our regularly scheduled program!

~Traycee~ :)

In Need of Volunteers

I have received the information packet from DKMS (today) about setting up a Bone Marrow Donor Drive for Jasmina Amena, the 6-year old little girl who is in need of a Bone Marrow Transplant. The first step in setting up a donor drive is obtaining volunteers. SO, I am reaching out to all of you who come and read my blog to step up. Being a volunteer is extremely easy and will definitely be rewarding. I will need people to assist with the following:

1. Picking a location (I'm currently working on this now)
2. Media and Public Relations - let's spread the word
3. Fundraising
4. Location set-up
5. Information table
6. Registration on the day of the drive
7. Testing (a simple cheek swab)
8. Manning the donation table on the day of the drive
9. Check-out station
10. Refreshment area

Let's all step up and help this precious little girl - and others just like her. If you cannot volunteer, it's ok...there are other ways to help. Please respond to indicate your willingness to help out. Together, we can ALL save a life!

~Traycee~

Helping Jasmina

Hey everyone!

You know, I must be honest with you. There's a lot going on in my personal life. However, all of that got pushed aside when I heard of Jasmina's story. I do have to admit, I was a little slow to act. Well, I don't know, maybe not. I first read about Jasmina about a month ago when I read an article at People.com. I saw the video that her best friend made pleading for everyone's help. It tore at every single ounce of my being. It literally brought me to tears.

Jasmina Amena is a 6-year old girl who was diagnosed on January 20, 2009 with a rare form of Leukemia. She is in dire need of a bone marrow transplant and without it, doctors are giving her approximately 2-months to live.

So, I went online and requested a Bone Marrow Donor kit. It took approximately two weeks to arrive at my door and I couldn't be happier. I followed the simple steps and did a cheek swab so that I could be tested to see if I was a match. I verified all of my information, and mailed it back. I'm praying that I'm a match for Jasmina. Oh, she is such a precious little girl!!!

Even though I have yet to meet her, I feel like I've known her since she was born. When I see her picture, I see every young child in my family in her eyes. And boy oh boy does she have some big, beautiful eyes. I cried yesterday when looking at her picture because it hurts so much to think that she may not be here much longer if she doesn't find a donor.

I was online until about 1:30AM last night because I couldn't sleep and I just kept researching different things for Jasmina - trying to figure out how I can help her........and quite possibly, others just like her. SO, before I went to bed last night, I made up my mind to help her more than just by giving a cheek swab. I've contacted DKMS and am awaiting contact from them so that I can set up a donor drive. I've been posting blogs (as you can see) and sending numerous emails to help spread the word about her cause. My only hope and prayer is that the donor drive doesn't come too late for Jasmina.

I ask you - what are YOU going to do to help Jasmina? What CAN you do to help Jasmina? Can you look at her face and look into those eyes and not have it tug at your heart?!

This Saturday, March 7th from 10AM - 2PM, there will be a donor drive at the following location. If you live in NYC or have friends or family that live there, PLEASE get out there and get your cheek swabbed! It's not everyday that you can do something to save someone's life. I AM ON A MISSION...how about you?!

Public School 41
116 W 11th St
New York, NY

Click here to see the video that Jasmina's friend, Isabelle, made for her.

*Above image (Isabelle and Jasmina) taken from here

Sources:
www.oneforjasmina.com
www.dkmsamericas.org
www.people.com

Help Jasmina with a Bone Marrow Donation

Jasmina Anema turns 6 years old Wednesday (March 4th), and the birthday party planned for her - with a fashion show, cake and an appearance by singer Kelly Rowland - is a dream come true.

But the celebration could be Jasmina's last.

The bubbly Greenwich Village kindergartner is suffering from a rare and especially fatal form of leukemia that doctors fear will take her life within two months unless she receives a bone-marrow transplant.

Jasmina's family - and celebrities like Rihanna and NBA star Paul Pierce, who were touched by her plight - hope a donor drive Saturday will produce the match needed to save her.

"I need thousands of people to come," Jasmina's mother, Theodora Anema, said Tuesday at NYU Medical Center as her ailing child clung to her neck.

"She's the love of my life."

Jasmina's life was turned upside down on Jan. 20 when a doctor informed her she was suffering from NK cell Leukemia.

The news was crushing. Anema had no idea the minor infection on her daughter's toe was a sign of something so sinister.

Click here to continue

~Traycee~

Source

Become a Bone Marrow Donor

Becoming a bone marrow donor is SO EASY and extremely PAIN FREE!!! Visit the DKMS website and request a donor kit. All you have to do is complete the form they send you and submit TWO cheek swabs. It's as simple as that. I've done it, and so can you.

If you're a match for ANYONE, they will contact you. There's no greater gift than to help save someone's life.

I thank you and your potential "donee" thanks you!!!

BECOME A DONOR

~Traycee~