Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) Support Group
Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), also known as acute myeloid leukemia, is a cancer of the myeloid line of blood cells. Patients with AML usually present with symptoms such as fatigue, bleeding, infection, prompting medical attention. An abnormal blood test reading will then result in further testing in a hospital with a hematologist to determine AML.
Dear all,
I am on a plane (they have wifi!) flying from NYC (after spending a wonderful time with my family in Orlando) back to Tel Aviv via Istanbul.
On the line to board I noticed a man with a silver colored container that seems to be holding something medical.
By coincidence, he is sitting on my row.
So I asked him what's in the container.
And he told me he's transporting stem cells, donated by a woman in USA to Turkey, for a 6 year-old child with AML.
What a moving coincidence. I was literally almost moved to tears. Looking at that container and thinking that it contains life. Given by a total stranger across the world to a child and carried by someone who knows neither the donor nor the child.
I asked him a few questions and he asked if I'm a doctor (otherwise how would I know so much about leukemia and transplant...). I told him I had AML and although I only had chemo, I know a lot about it.
And then I thought I'd share with the people who really "get it" more than anyone.
Abby
I am on a plane (they have wifi!) flying from NYC (after spending a wonderful time with my family in Orlando) back to Tel Aviv via Istanbul.
On the line to board I noticed a man with a silver colored container that seems to be holding something medical.
By coincidence, he is sitting on my row.
So I asked him what's in the container.
And he told me he's transporting stem cells, donated by a woman in USA to Turkey, for a 6 year-old child with AML.
What a moving coincidence. I was literally almost moved to tears. Looking at that container and thinking that it contains life. Given by a total stranger across the world to a child and carried by someone who knows neither the donor nor the child.
I asked him a few questions and he asked if I'm a doctor (otherwise how would I know so much about leukemia and transplant...). I told him I had AML and although I only had chemo, I know a lot about it.
And then I thought I'd share with the people who really "get it" more than anyone.
Abby
Carrying the cure to that precious child. I usually hear of Americans getting donations from other countries, it is so great to hear of the reverse. I work for the Air Force and was so pleased to discover that the Department of Defense had a huge bone marrow donor program that feeds the international data base. Each military installation has a poc who manages it and has donor events.
Thank you so much for sharing.
Blessings,
Julie
I wish other countries adopted some of these systems.
Julie
I will be praying for a very boring and uneventful Dr visit.
Blessings
Julie
Your story just confirms my conviction that there are wonderful people in this world. The US has a huge population and yet so few people (relatively) give of themselves to save others. We need to spread the word.
It is astounding how many of us receive marrows from people in other countries. As a Jew, who was lucky enough to not have lost any relatives in the Holocaust, I cried when I found out that a German young man was saving my life. I treasure the blood that is coursing through my veins more than I can describe,not only because of the irony of the donor's origin, but for the love he must have for those in need . I want to give him the hugest hug. I will find out his name next month (according to the two year rule at Memorial Sloan Kettering, and will summon my best German (which is very rusty) to write to someone who undoubtedly speaks English better than I, to thank him profusely for his generosity. The world is full of such people. Let's turn off those blasted TV's with constant news of fighting and hatred, and just embrace each other. There is plenty of love to go around.
Just loved your story (and love Tel Aviv). If it were not 12 AM, I would wake up my family to tell it to them. After just losing my beloved father-in-law (who, with my mother-in-law joined my family on a trip to Israel several years ago), I needed a real pick-me-up. THANK YOU.
Cliff
The entire time I read this I had chills going up my spine. What a beautiful thing to witness.
Andrea
Andrea had chills and I had tears. Being in transplant has made me a water well. I cry at the drop of a pin, but this made me weep tears of joy.
Safe travels.
Ed
Much love.
This is a wonderful group -- I will be praying for all of you -- dave
Thanks for the wonderful story. I would like to sign up for such a wonderful, awesome job of delivering stem cells bringing hope to those needing it. Lovely to hear from you and I am glad you had a wonderful time visiting with your family.
Take Care,
Suzanne
What a touching story! Thanks for sharing :)
Holly
I had my stem cell transplant last year in April and I had just had my training day to become a stem cell courier. Soon, Ill be travelling the world, especially to Germany, where they have a huge blood bank and bring stem cells back to London. Luckily I am fluent in that language. I am very excited about it; it is voluntary unfortunately and I am not sure how to make time for it yet, but I may be made redundant soon or hopefully just have a cut in hours and then I may have lots of time available.
I have my black Anthony Nolan courier bag sitting here at home and I will do my first trip (shadowing) in September.
I am so thrilled to be able to do that; someone travelled to Germany for me last year and now I can give something back.
Renate
I am also moved and happy whem considering that there is a solution and a cure for AML, and I pray for better and better treatments to achieve Jose Carrera`'s Foundation Against Leukemia says: "Leukemia is 100% cured "
Please.... I ask you to pray for all our 3rd world countries, where many people die because these treatments are not available nor afordable.
Blessings
Ana