Stars and Stripes

Three hundred sign up for bone marrow registry in Rota By Sandra Jontz, European edition, Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Dave Holmes / U.S. Navy Capt. Jim Joslyn, command chaplain for Naval Station Rota, Spain, and Marine Cpl. Brad Kallman swab their cheeks during registration to become bone marrow donors.

Dr. Heather Ventura doesn’t know the woman whose life she’s saving.

She doesn’t need to.

The cancer patient who received the U.S. lieutenant commander’s bone marrow seven months ago is alive, and that knowledge alone is satisfaction enough for Ventura, an internal medicine physician at Naval Station Rota, Spain.

Last week, nearly 300 Rota-based people took 40 seconds out of their day to have their cheeks swabbed — and as such, signed up for the national bone marrow registry.

The two-day drive, which Ventura helped organize, also honored a U.S. Navy SEAL whose enemy now is an aggressive strain of leukemia that threatened to kill him before he received a bone-marrow transplant.

“Whenever you hear about Marines or sailors, those who are in harm’s way and do the operations, when you hear them needing help like this, well they are near and dear to our hearts,” said Ventura, 31.

Justin, whose last name is not being disclosed by family or military officials because of the sensitivity of his military job, received the transplant Oct. 20 in Seattle.

“It was very successful,” his sister, Jodi Pinedo, said Monday in a phone interview from her home in New Jersey.

“I think it’s a combination of my brother’s mental strength and his physical strength, being a Navy SEAL and all, and being in peak mental and physical condition, that is behind him doing so well,” she said of her 28-year-old younger brother. “He’s awesome.”

Doctors diagnosed Justin on June 2 with acute lymphocyte leukemia, an aggressive cancer of the blood that usually kills patients within months of diagnosis, Pinedo said. Then the family learned that neither of Justin’s two older sisters were matches. “That’s when I went on a rampage and started scheduling bone marrow drives.”

He found salvation from a 30-year-old woman in Germany, though they know nothing more about her.

The family does not know if the match came from drives sponsored by Justin’s family and friends, which took place in Japan, Belgium, Germany, and Italy, Pinedo said.

Samples from last week’s drive at the naval base in Rota have been sent to the Defense Department’s C.W. Bill Young Bone Marrow Donor Program in Rockville, Md., where they will be analyzed, cataloged, and filed with the national data bank for use by anyone needing a transplant.

Within the military, 17 active-duty and family members are waiting for bone marrow transplants, Ventura said.

More information is available at: http://www.dodmarrow.com/.


http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=40655&archive=true

Help a Navy SEAL - Update Posted By Blackfive by Adele of Soldiers' Angels

RE: Be A Hero - Get Entered in the National Bone Marrow Registry http://www.blackfive.net/main/2006/07/be_a_hero_get_e.html
RE: Navy SEAL Justin Finds A Matching Donor in Germany http://www.blackfive.net/main/2006/09/navy_seal_justi.html

Via Adele, here's an update on Navy SEAL Justin's bone marrow transplant and recovery:
Spoke with Justin's mom yesterday to get an update. He is doing great!! His neutrophils (A neutrophil is one of the five white blood cells) are back where they were when he was first diagnosed and before he really got sick. His platelets and red blood cells are way up and his organs are doing fine. She says the doctors say he is "a boring patient" and they think he should be the poster-child for bone marrow transplants. His one trouble right now is that his salivary glands got burned off during chemo but they will grow back. He's also waiting for his hair to grown back. He could not eat anything for a while (not even applesauce) and has had to be hydrated using an IV. Suzanne has been at his side the entire time, and they are out of the hospital for now, though he goes regularly on an outpatient basis.

Perhaps the best news is that he got a call from the national bone marrow registry to let him know that 40,000 people have signed up in his name!!! Can you believe that? So 40,000 people signed up to give marrow at some point. His mom said this really means the world to him.

His folks will join Justin and Suzanne over the holidays. They requested continued prayers from everyone, as they are not out of the woods yet. His pill box is an actual tackle box (as in a fishing tackle box) and he still faces an uphill battle.

Nice going, people! 40,000 new potential donors! I'm sure it's more than that. I registered because of Justin, but, here in Chicago, there wasn't a way to register in his name. Keep spreading the word. You may be able to save a life! More info about the process and my experience getting tested here:

http://www.blackfive.net/main/2006/07/get_registered_.html

I frequently tell people that we (milbloggers) have the best, most motivated readers on the planet. This is just further proof...THANK YOU!

November 11th Veteran's Day

This is the first time I've been a Guest Blogger, so any mistakes are my own and not the owner of this Blog.

On Veteran's Day, I held a Bone Marrow Registry Drive at San Jose State University. The crowd was there, it was a nail biter of a game, but I was there for their Marrow!!!

The University cooperated fully, the local news papers announced my event, I had 8 ROTC Cadets man my tables. For the most part, the weather cooperated too. Only a few sprinkles to wet us down.

The highlight of my day was that I was able to meet Veterans who fought in battles from World War II to Korea to Viet Nam to Iraq. I've got to tell you, I was humbled by the experience. One of the guys that's at my usual tail gate party is an Army Vet. He finally got the Viet Nam Veteran's cap and wore it Saturday. I gave him a big hug and thanked him for his service. He was floored. He said that was the first time anybody had thanked him. He hasn't spoken about the war since he got back in 1966. We do our Veterans a great disservice by not acknowledging their contributions. I continue to thank all the veterans I know and even those I don't personally know for their commitment and sacrifice. I met a 22 year old Marine who's been back from Iraq for 2 months. He was so willing to be a marrow donor, he went and got a bunch of his buddies and they came in a group. He wants updates on Justin, so I gave him my card and a great big hug and thanked him for being a Vet. There was a Navy Command Master Chief who kept saluting me. He was a Hoot!!! (probably had a couple of sips too many from the vino bottle, but he was funny as hell.)

I need to thank Erika Mares at the San Jose State Athletic Department and Cesar Gonzalez, Captain USAF for allowing me to set up inside the stadium area and to staff my drive. I would also like to thank my husband, Bernard, for his patience and understanding in assisting me with my drives and all the lifting, toting and transporting these drives incur. Ginger Parish for the "GREAT" shirt, Mary Anne Ross for allowing me to reprint her article about Justin, Adele at Soldiers Angels and Stretch DeMay for printing up my poster boards to advertise the story. Anyone I have forgotten to thank was an error on the part of my aging brain, it doesn't mean I don't appreciate all that you've done to help with this project, it just means my brain is on overload and something important fell out, but all the trivia stayed (i.e. Kelly Bundy one thought goes in and one falls out.)

Let me cut to the chase before I lose anyone's interest here. I had 45 donors!!!! Whooo Hooo that's good on a day of rain, football and beer.

I've got 3 more drives scheduled in the near future: 11/18 at the Los Banos Fire Station #2, 12/2 at the San Jose State vs. Fresno State Football game, 12/5 at NAS LeMoore. If you're interested in donating or participating please call (408) 654-7900 x110 or e-mail me.

I've spoken with Justin's Mom a couple of times recently and have some e-mail to share with the group:

10/24/06

Dear Jan,

Hi, our daughter sent us your recent email. You are outrageously funny and one of Justin's "earth angels". Thank you so very much for your efforts. We are so grateful for folks such as yourself. Justin is blessed.

Justin is not able to forward his address to the public, however, I know everyone still wants to send cards. How about if they send them to you and we will send them to Justin periodically.

As an update, Justin had his transplant on October 20th and is doing well; some bouts of severe nausea and diarrhea and headaches, but very much on target.

Prayers are still needed for complete recovery of Justin and words of encouragement for Suzanne. As a newly wed, she has certainly experienced the "for worse and in sickness" part of her vows. Suzanne has been and continues to be his caregiver and his rock. She is marvelous and they deserve so much more out of life.

As for his donor, a life saver and just an outstanding human being; as Justin's Mom, I owe her my life. We are so eternally grateful to her and pray that someday she will agree to meet her U.S. family. Continue your fight for donor awareness and prayers for Justin. You and your friends can consider yourselves part of our family. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have a big celebration of life when Justin is well.

I'm sure Justin will appreciate the photos and messages you have collected from your drives. Please feel free to keep in touch.

God Bless You,

Justin’s Mom


11/6/06

Hi Jan,

Nope, we haven't gone out to visit yet. We are planning to go out the day after Christmas and stay for a couple of weeks. Justin was released from the hospital yesterday and will now be treated as an out patient for the next three to four months.

Suzanne will really enjoy a spa treatment after all that she has gone through, and I know that Justin will enjoy knowing that she is getting a special treat for all that she has done for him. I really hope you can pull it off. Your alternate plan of a dinner sounds wonderful also.

Thanks so much for your concern and help.

Justin’s Mom


On the dollars and cents side of all of this....

If you are interested in contributing to the Spa day for Suzanne (Justin's Wife) please contact me by e-mail at jalbertie@ebusinessdesign.com. I'm still collecting for an all day spa treatment for her to have a little down time just for her. Anything I collect above the cost of the spa package, will be sent to Justin and Suzanne for a first wedding anniversary - a romantic dinner - in January.

For those of you who would like to help with the cost of getting Justin's parents out to see him, you can make your donations to Soldiers Angels.

http://www.soldiersangels.org/Justin_Navy_Seal.php

Thanks to all.

Hoo Yah!!

Jan Albertie

Someone You Should Know About...

Even though Justin has found a match and is undergoing a Bone Marrow Transplant there are STILL many people out there who are still waiting. About 700 Defense Department and over 35,000 people nationwide are in need of a match. There is one volunteer who has been tireless in her enthusiasm and efforts to continue to get potential Bone Marrow Donors registered.

Jan Albertie, of Los Banos, California is a personnel manager for a software consulting company and the wife of an ex-Navy man. She has been setting up drives at local College football games and has volunteered to help at NAS LeMoore with their drive.

Jan isn't just working on a single drive she is constantly networking with the people she meets at all of her drives to continue the momentum. She can be found at ALL the San Jose State Football games HOURS before the game even begins to man her booth. She has been working with the C.W Bill Young Department of Defense Marrow Donor Program.

"They make it easy. All I have to do is have everyone give a swab, document it and send it back to them for processing," as Jan said in a recent interview.

Anyone who is interested in volunteering to assist Jan with any of these drives or wishes to ask her expertise in setting up a Bone Marrow Drive can contact her at jalbertie@navyseals.com

Thank you Jan for being an unsung hero.

JUSTIN FOUND A MATCH!!!!

Great news!! We have a match!!! Please see Justin's comments below:

Just wanted to let everyone know that I now have a bone marrow donor identified who is a perfect match in all spects that are checked for DNA (10 out of 10) and blood, viruses, etc. To boot we also have 2 other 10 out of 10 donors identified as back-up donors. So basically, I hit the bone marrow lotto jackpot. The primary donor is a 30 yr old female from Germany.

I will be headed to Seattle on 25 Sept. to start my new journey. The first two weeks will be comprehensive testing of my everything functions. I will then start my total body irradiation for 3 days, twice a day on 13 Oct. After that I have 2 days of chemo and then a rest day and I will get my transfer tentatively on 20 Oct. From then on it will be a minimum of 100 days observation before I can leave so I will be in Seattle until at least the beginning of February. The first 10-28 days will be spent in a quarantine room until my bone marrow grows back and I have an immune system. After that I will start with daily outpatient treatments will gradually taper off until I am going to the hospital about 1 a week and I am ready to be discharged.

This is great news and couldn't really be any better. Suzanne and I are both very excited and can't wait to move on to the next step in my healing. To be honest we're not too excited about the cold, rain, and gloom, but we hear that they have plenty of good seafood to make up for it. We'll be keeping in touch with everything, and just want to say thanks so much to everyone so far that has sent us a card, cookies, or just said that they were thinking of us. All the thoughts have definitely made it easier for us to cope with. We're not out of the woods yet but at least we know where the finish line is now. Thanks for reading and please keep in touch.

Justin

Percentages and Chances....

Have you heard about the service member who has Acute Lymphocyte Leukemia? "The odds of finding an unrelated match (of blood stem cells) are one in 25,000." Pretty bad odds, don't you think? How about "When he was told that there was only a 30 percent chance of recovery, he (this very special service member) replied, 'That's good. There was only a 10 percent chance of me becoming a SEAL' "

Yes, Justin is a SEAL, (for those of us who are in other branches of the service, I'm sure we won't hold that against him :o) and because all he wants to do is recover and go back to being a SEAL, his full name is being withheld.

I had heard of this story through other means and in this day and age of information overload, I will be honest and say that my first thought was "That is so sad, I wish that something could be done." Then I went about my very busy life like so many others.

Then I saw a request by author Suzanne Brockmann's Bulletin Board. In that and subsequent posts, I learned that THERE IS SOMETHING WE ALL CAN DO! To begin with the initial test to become a donor requires nothing more than a cheek swab. On top of that, if you are a match, there's a chance that you will only be donating stem cells in a similar way to the normal blood donation method. More on the whole donation process can be found at the National Marrow Donor Program site.

Please take the time to go through the information I have gathered here. I have tried to make it as simple as possible so as to take up very little of your time. Join our members and Become A Swabbie! :o) and don't forget to leave a message for Justin and his family in the 'Notes To Justin' at the bottom.

Justin was diagnosed with cancer 2 June 2006. He needs to find a bone marrow donor ASAP. Screenings at Spotswood High School in Spotswood, NJ and others have been set up but they still haven't found a match for Justin.

As Suz Brockmann wrote "Justin is a young man who is determined to win this battle with cancer -- so he can go back to his "normal" life as a Navy SEAL. (Don't you just love him?)"

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BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

* You must be age 18-60

* Be willing to donate to any patient in need

* Meet minimum health guidelines

DISQUALIFIERS

* Type II insulin dependent diabetes (Diabetes that is controlled via diet and exercise... NO PROBLEM)

* Heart trouble (e.g. double bypass)

* Cancer

* HIV, etc.

See the Minimum Health Guidelines for more specific information on disqualifiers. Just be in reasonably good health and you're in :o)

THINGS THAT ARE N.O.T. A PROBLEM

* Living overseas (scared of mad-cow) NP

* Tattoos w/in a year NP

* Body Piercings NP

* Colds/Flu NP

* Malaria Pills NP

* If you've been turned down by blood banks NP

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Are you willing to help host a Mini-Drive or even a Full Blown Drive?

Are you already going to a meeting with people you think may be interested in helping?

Members from the Suz BB got together and decided that since many of them were going to a RWA convention that it might be a good place to ask for interested volunteers. They contacted Eddy Medina from the C. W. Bill Young DOD Bone Marrow Program and this is what happened...

"OK... spoke with Eddy and Ryan (contact guys on project). They are sending us 100 of the kits (free) to the Hilton in Atlanta (And they said to tell everybody a BIG THANK YOU!) Should be there waiting for us when we arrive. We got apx 4 days to get everybody swabbed who's interested in doing this. Eddy said that they will test anyone who is in reasonably good health (barring the above mentioned disqualifiers). If you are discovered to be a match, then and only then will you undergo a physical and interview and might possibly be rejected at that point."

"He also said to tell you that this is part of the National Bone Marrow Database (National Marrow Donor Program) and not JUST for our SEALs, so you should be aware of that beforehand."

Are you a member of any organizations or clubs? Consider doing what these generous people did.

I have heard of so many people doing neighborhood drives by just asking their neighbors to help. I'm trying to get more information on the USS Kitty Hawk who are sponsoring a drive for it's crew members. Ordinary people who are going to their workplace and asking if they can set up drives during a lunch hour. I will post more on these wonderful stories as I get permission to.

New York Times, Best Selling Author Suzanne Brockmann has Mini-Drives at most of the stops on her "Into The Storm" Book Signing Tour. (Dates and locations listed below) This special woman continues to inspire all who come in contact with her to not only get the word out about Justin's plight but to lead the way in making the extra effort to ACT NOW! (Not to mention her books are OUTSTANDING and her book signings are well worth the effort just to hear her speak. I highly recommend you hie yourself to one near you!)

And so for those who can go the extra mile for Justin (and others like him) there is the following:

If you work for the Department of Defense, are a military service member or dependant please contact Eddy Medina at the C. W. Bill Young Department of Defense Bone Marrow Program at 800-627-7693.

Consider organizing a drive at your local Police Station, Fire Station, EMT Class, Fitness Center, College, Rotary Club, Sports Club, Work Place, Karate School...I think you can sense a trend here. Do not over look the power of mini drives to include your neighborhood, a family reunion, etc.

Please pass this info on to as many bbs and friends and relatives as possible. Let's get the word out and find Justin a bone marrow match. (As for THIS blog, I will add your blog to this site on my sidebar as a supporter if you wish, just let me know)

For more information see:

National Marrow Donor Program

C. W. Bill Young Department of Defense Marrow Donor Program

All potential donors are listed on the National Bone Marrow Donor Registry. The testing is simple and quick and could potentially save the life of Justin or someone else waiting for a donor. The more people that we can all reach out to make aware of this program, the better Justin's chances will be. Please be generous and take a few moments of your time to get tested. You could end up saving this service member's life or the life of one of so very many others who are still waiting and hoping for someone just like you to be tested.

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Bone Marrow Donor Drives

Find A Local Bone Marrow Drive Near You...

Alabama

California

San Jose - San Jose State University - 23 Sep 2006 - (11am-3pm) - Spartan Stadium - SJSU vs. Cal Poly Football Game - Donor area will be the immediate right as you turn into the parking lot off of 10th street at the corner of 10th and Alma Ave. in San Jose on the east side of the Spartan Stadium. The Fiesta Parking Lot. Parking space I-1. Contact Jan at jalbertie@navyseals.com for more information.

San Jose - San Jose State University - 30 Sep 2006 - (11am-3pm) - Spartan Stadium - SJSU vs. San Diego Football Game - Donor area will be the immediate right as you turn into the parking lot off of 10th street at the corner of 10th and Alma Ave. in San Jose on the east side of the Spartan Stadium. The Fiesta Parking Lot. Parking space I-1. Contact Jan at jalbertie@navyseals.com for more information.

San Jose - San Jose State University - 14 Oct 2006 - (11am-3pm) - Spartan Stadium - SJSU vs. Utah Football Game - Donor area will be the immediate right as you turn into the parking lot off of 10th street at the corner of 10th and Alma Ave. in San Jose on the east side of the Spartan Stadium. The Fiesta Parking Lot. Parking space I-1. Contact Jan at jalbertie@navyseals.com for more information.

San Jose - San Jose State University - 28 Oct 2006 - (11am-3pm) - Spartan Stadium - SJSU vs. LA Tech Football Game - Donor area will be the immediate right as you turn into the parking lot off of 10th street at the corner of 10th and Alma Ave. in San Jose on the east side of the Spartan Stadium. The Fiesta Parking Lot. Parking space I-1. Contact Jan at jalbertie@navyseals.com for more information.

San Jose - San Jose State University - 11 Nov 2006 - (11am-3pm) - Spartan Stadium - SJSU vs. Boise State Football Game - Donor area will be the immediate right as you turn into the parking lot off of 10th street at the corner of 10th and Alma Ave. in San Jose on the east side of the Spartan Stadium. The Fiesta Parking Lot. Parking space I-1. Contact Jan at jalbertie@navyseals.com for more information.

San Jose - San Jose State University - 2 Dec 2006 - (11am-3pm) - Spartan Stadium - SJSU vs. Fresno State Football Game - Donor area will be the immediate right as you turn into the parking lot off of 10th street at the corner of 10th and Alma Ave. in San Jose on the east side of the Spartan Stadium. The Fiesta Parking Lot. Parking space I-1. Contact Jan at jalbertie@navyseals.com for more information.

Delaware

Florida

Massachusetts

Michigan

New York

North Carolina

Ohio

Pennsylvania

South Carolina

Tennessee

Virginia

Richmond - Richmond International Raceway - 19 Nov 2006 - NASCAR Foundation National Blood & Marrow Drive

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Upcoming C. W. Bill Young Department of Defense Bone Marrow Donor Drives

Eligible volunteers under the DoD program include all active duty military members and their dependents, DoD civilians, Coast Guard, National Guard and Reservists.

29-31 Aug 2006 Great Lakes NB, Corps School LT. Nicole Lightner (847) 688-5305

8 Sep 2006 Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH 11am-2pm Suzanne Brockmann "Into The Storm" Booksigning Tour *** See note at bottom ***

Locations of Bone Marrow Donor Test Sites

Available to DoD Personel, service members and their dependants (Please call individual sites for more information about the program and how to make an appointment.)

Fort Bliss, TX

Available on Mondays from 0800-1200 at the Blood Donor Center. Contact Ms. Vicky Welsh @ (254) 287-8128 to make an appointment to register.

Fort Bragg, NC

Available on Mondays through Fridays from 0900-1600. Register at the Welcome Center located in Wing L. For further information, contact Sgt Stephanie Aguiar at @ (910)396-2245.

Fort Hood, TX

Available on Mondays through Wednesdays from 0730-1130 and 1330-1530. Register at the Fort Hood Robertson Blood Donor Center located on 761st Tank Battalion Street, Building 2250. For further information, contact Ms. Anita Paniagua at (254) 287-8128/2334.

Fort Lewis, WA

Available Monday through Friday from 0800-1500. Register at the Armed Services Blood Bank Center located on the 1st floor of the Nursing Tower at Madigan Army Medical Center. Registration can also be made available in conjunction with mobile blood drives. For further information call (253) 968-1850.

Fort Sam Houston, TX

Available at the Akeroyd Blood Donor Center. Contact the Blood Donor Center at (210) 295-4523 for further information.

Hill AFB, UT

Available on Mondays through Fridays from 0800-1500. Please contact TSgt Eric Haywood of the Laboratory at (801) 777-7033 for further information.

National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, MD

Available from 0700-1500, Monday through Friday and Saturdays from 0900-1100. Bldg. 9, Room 2475. Information can be obtained by calling Mr. Charles Ruffin at (301) 295-2100.

Naval Air Station, Fallon, NV

Available on Wednesdays from 1300-1500. Register at the NAS Fallon Branch Medical Clinic Laboratory. For further information, contact either HM1 Gaza or HM1 Hernandez at (775) 426-3118.

Pentagon, Arlington, VA

Available on Monday through Friday from 1000-1300 at the Pentagon Blood Donor Center located in the Main Concourse. Call (703) 693-4879 for further information.

Selfridge ANGB, MI

Available on Monday through Friday (closes on Wednesday @ 1200) at the U.S. Army Health Clinic, Bldg. 310. Call Mr. John Depauw at (586) 307-5353 to make an appointment to register.

Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington DC

Available Monday through Friday from 0900-1500. Information can be obtained by contacting Ms. Angela Hall at (202) 782-4156.

Wright-Patterson AFB, OH

Available in conjunction with scheduled Blood Donor Center blood drives. For further information, contact SrA Ms. Loh Nersa @ (937) 257-9364.

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Still can't find a specific drive near you? The National Marrow Program lists U.S. Donor Sites by State

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