June 08, 2005
Wednesday

The bone marrow drive in Southeast Alaska was a huge success. The total count was 1,010 new nationally registered bone marrow donors! That is 1.6% of the population of the areas from Ketchikan to Anchorage. Anchorage pulled 66 donors with the rest coming from Southeast Alaska: Ketchikan, Wrangell, Angoon, Sitka, Kake, Hoonah, Haines, Skagway, and Juneau.

I am told the drive was the most successful ever in Alaska. All I know is everywhere we went everyone was truly caring, wanting to help, and did in any way they could. If they couldn't get on the registry for their own health reasons they found another way to help. Without everyone's help the drive could not have happened, much less be the success it was. From the radio stations, newspapers, Wings of Alaska, Alaska Airlines, Cancer Connection, the communities making a space to conduct the drive, and Jenn Sellen, the phlebotomist from Anchorage, everyone was a help in getting people on the registry.

On behalf of Alex Cesar, Nathan Brener, Jalen Smith, August Bickar, and their families, we thank all Alaskans, as well as everyone who helped to make the bone marrow drive a success. The national registry is so important to help save a life. I am sure of the 1,010 registered someone will matching another person waiting for their match, even if it is not one of our children.

Again, thank you does not seem enough.

Andrea Quinto
Aunt of Alex Cesar
Juneau, AK - USA

 

Write a Letter -------Read Letters

E-mail the Editor

Sitnews
Stories In The News
Ketchikan, Alaska