Evan The Warrior

"I Hope We Can Talk About Leukemia"

Leukemia-stricken New Yorker Jasmina Anema Meets President Obama

BY Rich Schapiro
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Wednesday, November 25th 2009, 4:00 AM

Alvarez/News

Jasmina Anema holds a photo of herself wearing a Michelle Obama t-shirt. Jasmina left for Washington on Tuesday night, and will meet with President Obama (below) today.

Miller/News

Related News

• Articles
• Jasmina's new heartache: Leukemia's back
• 6-year-old Jasmina wins battle vs. leukemia
• Rihanna on Jasmina Anema's bone marrow transplant: 'Miracles do happen'
• Jasmina emerges from bone marrow transplant upbeat
• Jasmina's wait nears end
• Big setback for Jasmina on transplant eve

Jasmina goes to Washington.

Cancer-stricken Jasmina Anema, the little Greenwich Village girl whose courage has inspired New Yorkers, left home Tuesday night for the trip of her dreams.

She and her mom will meet President Obama and the First Lady today, courtesy of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

"I couldn't close my mouth for four hours because I was so excited," Jasmina said, describing the moment when she found out over the weekend that she was heading to the nation's capital.

"And I haven't been able to sleep."

Jasmina will also attend the ceremonial pardoning of the first turkey. This year's lucky bird is aptly named Courage.

Jasmina is well-versed on the White House's specs, casually reeling off the number of rooms in the President's home (132) and bathrooms (35).

The brainy 6-year-old is especially excited to catch a glimpse of one particular area of the White House: the bowling alley.

Deciding what to say to the President is something she's not taking lightly.

Jasmina said she's still deciding, but offered some clues in a letter she sent to Obama this week.

"I hope we can talk about leukemia and how it changes the lives of children," Jasmina wrote.

"Maybe I can give you some advice to help children with cancer. I want us to make having cancer easier for children."

The meeting with the President has a special significance for Jasmina and her mom.

Jasmina and Obama are both linked by the date, Jan. 20, 2009.

It was on Obama's Inauguration Day that Jasmina received her leukemia diagnosis.

By that point, Jasmina could already recognize the President-elect.

"Throughout the election campaign, she always saw the pictures of Obama everywhere," Thea Anema said. "It's very exciting for her to get the chance to meet him now."

The trip comes at a time when Jasmina is especially in need of a boost.

She has received troubling news since earlier this month when a biopsy showed her cancer cells had seemingly disappeared.

Her red blood cell count has since dropped, likely indicating the cancer is returning. She was also diagnosed with Type-2 diabetes last week.

The chemotherapy treatments and steroids she requires also have caused her cheeks and tummy to swell - and drained her energy.

To protect her weakened immune system, Jasmina flew off last night with a mask covering her face and an IV bag pumping fluid into her veins.

"It's an emotional roller coaster," Thea said. "This is perfect timing for her, and we didn't have any plans for Thanksgiving anyway. We can't wait."

rschapiro@nydailynews.com

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2009/11/25/2009-11-25_joy_for_jasmina_ailing_6yearold_set_to_meet_president_today.html#ixzz0XyaKByHK

Hope 4 Peyton's...Mommy

A video dedicated to all the strong, brave moms who never give up, never stop praying and hoping for a cure for cancer. Even if you're not in this video, if you're a mom who's walked this journey, this is for you.

Please pray for Peyton's mommy, as she herself fights to survive.

www.hope4peyton.org

Bone Marrow Transplant: An Extreme Makeover

Be The Match Joins ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

Minneapolis -- September 10, 20  Be The Match^®, a movement that engages the public to help patients in need of bone marrow or umbilical cord blood transplants, joins ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition through the story of Joey Stott, a bone marrow transplant recipient and Lena, Ill., resident.

In 2004, Stott was diagnosed with leukemia and needed a bone marrow transplant to survive. Like 70% of patients, Stott did not have a donor in her family and relied on the kindness of a stranger who had joined the Be The Match Registry^SM to donate bone marrow and save her life. Now, a community of volunteers and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition will help Stott save her home – with the help of a special guest: Tom Wilhelm, Stott’s bone marrow donor from Colorado Springs.

Donor registry drives encourage involvement

As part of its involvement in Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Be The Match will hold donor registry drives to encourage local volunteers and spectators to join the Be The Match Registry, operated by the National Marrow Donor Program^® (NMDP). The drives will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12, at the Lena Lion’s Fall Festival and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 13, at the build site. There is no cost to join. Potential donors must be between 18 and 60 and in good health. Interested individuals can also join the Be The Match Registry online at www.BeTheMatch.org/join.

“We want to thank Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and the Lena community for supporting Joey and her family, and for bringing national attention our mission,” said Dr. Jeffrey W. Chell, CEO, NMDP. “The number of patients receiving bone marrow transplants is growing every year. Now, more than ever before, we need people to get involved to ensure that all patients can receive the life-saving treatment they need.”

Support for patients

In addition to joining the Be The Match Registry, the public can support patients by making financial contributions to Be The Match Foundation^SM. While a marrow transplant can be a life-saving treatment for many patients, the costs can take a toll on families. Often there is the temporary loss of at least one income, and even with insurance, not all costs are covered.          

Be The Match Foundation raises funds to provide grants to patients who need support. Starting this week, Be The Match Foundation is aiming to raise $1 million so more patients and their families can focus on healing.

“In challenging times, it is heartening to see people coming together to help each other, whether through a medical emergency or a housing crisis,” said Christine Fleming, president, Be The Match Foundation. “We are sincerely grateful for Extreme Makeover: Home Edition’s efforts to raise awareness about Be The Match Foundation – and our efforts to relieve families of the financial burdens they experience when a loved one goes through transplant. Giving viewers and volunteers a place to direct their compassion and commitment will help save lives.”

About Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

The Emmy award-winning reality program “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” now in its 7th season, is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding. It's executive–produced by Anthony Dominici. David Goldberg is Chairman, Endemol North America. The show airs Sundays from 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET on ABC. 

About Be The Match

Be The Match is a movement that engages a growing community of people inspired to help patients who need a marrow or umbilical cord blood transplant. The National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), a leader in the field of marrow and cord blood transplantation, created Be The Match to provide opportunities for the public to become involved in saving the lives of people with leukemia, lymphoma and other life-threatening diseases.

Volunteers can join the Be The Match Registry – the world’s largest and most diverse listing of potential adult marrow donors and donated cord blood units – as well as contribute financially to Be The Match Foundation or give their time.

Be The Match Foundation supports the NMDP by raising funds to grow the Be The Match Registry, help patients with transplant costs and advance medical research.

Since operations began in 1987, the NMDP has provided more than 35,000 transplants to help give patients a second chance at life. For more information, call 1 (800) MARROW-2.

• Give now to help raise $1 million so more marrow transplant patients can focus on healing.

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GO EVAN GO!

Cancer research supporters 'Light the Night'

Fourth annual walk raises more than $31,000 for blood cancer cures

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Melissa Gasca
Signal Staff Writer
mgasca@the-signal.com

Twinkling red glows speckled the night sky around Bridgeport Park as thousands of people walked with illuminated balloons in hand to support blood cancer research.

More than 1,750 people participated in the fourth annual Light The Night Walk on Saturday night to benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and to commemorate or celebrate lives touched by cancer.

Walkers made the two and a quarter mile stroll with energy and hope, many singing songs and some holding their cancer-stricken loved ones at the front of their groups.

"I think we can get rid of blood cancer," said Monica Hurney, of Northridge. "Every little bit helps. I saw my son go through it so I know surviving is possible and a cure is around the corner."

Hurney and 130 family members and friends walked for 5-year-old Noah Hurney, Monica's son who was diagnosed in October 2006.

February will conclude Noah's last month of treatment and his family celebrated as they chanted, "Noah, Noah" while embarking on their walk.

Participants raised more than $31,000 on the walk alone, said Kathryn Scott, campaign director for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

The number will rise as other contributions are added in, she said.

Participants asked family members and friends to sponsor their walk by making contributions to the society.

Seventy-five cents of each dollar supports the society's mission to "cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma and improve the quality of life of patients and their families."

Funds raised provide blood cancer research, financial assistance to cover patient expenses, educational materials for patients and families and more, according to the Light The Night Web site.

"It's just a celebration over how working together we can make a difference and hopefully find a cure for blood cancers," Scott said.

The society works with five major cancer organizations in Los Angeles in finding cures and conducting research, Scott said.

Light The Night volunteers handed out three different colored balloons - red, white and gold.

The majority of balloons were red, which represented supporters.

White balloons represented survivors and a few gold balloons were carried in memory of loved ones who lost their battle to cancer.

"We'd eventually like to see no gold balloons," Scott said. "We'd like to put ourselves out of business."

Light The Night walks are held throughout the United States and Canada. In Santa Clarita, awareness is growing as evidenced by the 450-plus extra bodies that turned out this year compared to last, Scott said.

From the crowds of bobbing red balloons, an illuminated white balloon would occasionally emerge carried by a cancer survivor.

One such balloon belonged to 3-year-old Evan Gabor.

Evan's father pulled his wide-eyed son in a wagon as more than 100 family members and friends surrounded them on the walk.

"Evan has touched so many lives," said Marina Contreras, of Valencia, captain of Team Evan and the boy's great aunt.

The team raised more than $17,000 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society this year, bringing their total to over $50,000 raised in the last three years, Contreras said.

"When he was diagnosed (with leukemia), he was only 23 months-(old)," said Evan's mother, Jennifer Gabor, of the San Fernando Valley. "When people see what he's been through, that he celebrated his second birthday in the hospital and his fighting spirit, I think that's what motivates people to come."

Evan was not the only young cancer battler to take the walk.

Leukemia affects and causes more deaths than any other cancer among children and those under the age of 20, Scott said.

But Evan is a fighter, Jennifer Gabor said. Evan is in the "maintenance phase" of his treatment and his next major phase is eight days of radiation next year, she said.

"He's lost his hair twice, he's faced these awful drugs and at the end of the day, when he says ‘Mommy, I love you,' it's just sweet," Gabor said.

Gabor said she was "overwhelmed" to see the clusters of red balloons surrounding Evan.

Evan, who has been in remission for two years, was just happy to be with his friends, Gabor said. "He's just excited to be here with kids and be a kid," she said. "No hospital, doctors or needles."

B-O-O !

 

Evan, Halloween 2009

Bubba

Notes Live On

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DEAR JACK

Order Dear Jack Today. Dear Jack opens on the day Andrew McMahon is diagnosed with Leukemia and continues on through the life-changing and intensely personal events that follow. The film also includes flashes back to Andrews childhood, the making of the Jacks Mannequin album and his collaboration with Tommy Lee, as well as rare live footage and the chronicling of his relationships with two very important people in his life, his sister and her best friend.

http://www.jacksmannequin.com/

http://www.dearjackfoundation.com/