Bone Marrrow Donor Drive for Jasmina Anema - ONE MORE DAY!!!

Hello everyone! Well, the day is finally here - tomorrow in the Washington, DC area, there will be a donor drive to find a potential bone marrow match for Jasmina Anema. Sorry I haven't updated the blog, but I've been running around getting everything together for tomorrow.

Saturday, April 25, 2009 from 10AM - 3PM at
The National Society of Professional Engineers
1420 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22314

Please join Tom Zbikowski of the Baltimore Ravens, DKMS, as well as NSPE and their staff members as we ALL try to find THE ONE for Jasmina Anema.

NSPE is located in the Old Town section of Alexandria, VA and is within 3 walking blocks from the King Street Metro station, off of the Blue and Yellow lines. Parking is limited.

We all look forward to seeing you there!

http://www.oneforjasmina.com/
http://www.dkmsamericas.org/

Updated Articles about Jasmina

Please go to the following links to find information about Jasmina Anema and her plight:

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20271324,00.html

http://www.thatblackgirlsite.com/thatblackgirlblogs/natalie-cole-jasmina-anema-the-search-for-donors

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2009/04/07/2009-04-07_governor_paterson_pays_visit_to_jasmina_.html

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/brooklyn/2009/03/28/2009-03-28_jasmina_anema_battling_leukemia_needs_ma.html

http://news.aol.com/health/article/jasmina-anema-bone-marrow-donor/369967

http://wcbstv.com/local/bone.marrow.drive.2.971046.html

You can also find information at the websites I've mentioned in previous posts. I will update this post as I find more information.

~Traycee~

Press Release: 6yr old Jasmina Anema Fighting for Her Life

Contact: Frances Forde For Immediate Release
Telephone: 240-328-4563
E-mail: JoinTheBattle@gmail.com
Website: www.oneforjasmina.com

SIX YEAR-OLD FIGHTING FOR HER LIFE
A Bone Marrow Transplant is her only chance for survival

Alexandria, Virginia, April 7, 2009 - In an effort to assist six year old Jasmina Anema, who suffers from a very rare and aggressive form of leukemia, in her search for a bone marrow match staff members of the National Society of Professional Engineers have gathered to hold a bone marrow donor drive. The event serves as a venue to possibly save a life as well as increase awareness and educate the community about bone marrow and blood stem donation.

On January 20th, Jasmina was diagnosed with an aggressive and rare form of acute leukemia when seeking treatment for an infected toe. At present, with approximately one month left to live, her only chance of survival is a bone marrow transplant.

DKMS, the largest bone marrow donor center in the world, is teaming up with friends of the Anema family to organize this bone marrow donor drive! The drive will take place on Saturday, April 25, 2009 from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm at the National Society of Professional Engineers located at 1420 King Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314, and is within three blocks of the King Street Metro exit on the Yellow and Blue lines.

The bone marrow donor registration is quick and easy. All you need is a complete registration form and a swab from the inside of your cheeks.

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.

Understand your commitment and find out if you are eligible to register as a potential life-saving bone marrow donor.

About DKMS
DKMS was founded in Germany in 1991 by Peter Harf and Professor Dr. Gerhard Ehninger, and after Peter lost his wife, Mechtild, to acute leukemia. Today, DKMS is the world’s largest marrow donor center with over 1.8 million registered marrow donors. Since its founding, DKMS has facilitated more than 16,000 transplants.

The mission of DKMS is to give every blood cancer patient a second chance at life by recruiting marrow donors from every race and ethnicity. We inspire hope and healing by matching our donors with patients around the world in need of a marrow transplant.

DKMS Americas is a 501 (c) (3) non profit organization.

For more information about DKMS, please visit www.dkmsamericas.org or call 1.866.640.3567.

# # #

If you would like more information about this event, or to schedule an interview with Frances Forde, please call (240) 328-4563 or e-mail JoinTheBattle@gmail.com.

Jasmina Anema Update

I don't know what to do! I'm on the verge of tears because Jasmina's condition is worsening - the cancer is multiplying - and DKMS has yet to find a bone marrow donor match for her. I can't help but look at her and see my little cousins or even one of my god-children. I am so saddened right now, that I just cannot explain it. And, to add to my frustration, my contact person at DKMS has not gotten back to me regarding some paperwork. So, there's a chance that not only may the drive I'm conducting be too late for Jasmina, but there's also a chance that it won't happen at all - to help ANYONE.

I'm not a completely religious person, but I do believe in God and attend church service - not as often as I should though. And, I do believe that He is at work here and everything is happening according to His plan and His work. I do believe that everything happens for a reason. So, while I continue to keep Jasmina and her family in my prayers, I know that God is watching over her and guiding her and taking care of her. It just hurts SO MUCH because I feel completely helpless.

It just hurts.

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/brooklyn/2009/03/28/2009-03-28_jasmina_anema_battling_leukemia_needs_ma.html

http://www.blackvoices.com/newsarticle/_a/jasmina-anema/20090330135909990001

~Traycee

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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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