Friday, February 13, 2009

February 13, 2009- Friday

Todays Gazette comes to you with a very important message. Please read
carefully and give it your serious consideration.
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The current temperature is 6 degrees
The "feels like" temperature is -6
Yesterdays H/L temperature was 25/10
Normal H/L temp for this date is 22/3
It was 49 degrees on this date in 1983
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"Profanity makes ignorance audible."
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L O C A L news & stuff,.. mostly stuff.
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Sometimes I really believe there are things so important, that they
should be dealt with exclusively. Such is the case with the following
message regarding the upcoming Bone Marrow Donor Drive.
Cathy would like to share the following:
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Hi Gary. As you know there is going to be a donor drive here in
Grafton on March 7th. We are wanting and need it to be a huge success
and need as many informed people we can get to be there. You are a
wonderful source for getting the word "out there" and I was wondering if
you would send out this informational note. Thank-you, Cathy (I will
throw in an apple pie if you like!)
I would like to clear up any misconceptions of being a bone marrow
donor. First, just because you get tested does not mean that you will
be donating to someone. That is the ultimate goal, but many people that
are tested are never called. Second, the donor drive we are putting
together is to help raise an awareness of the global need for donors and
that being a donor is something you can do while you are alive and
healthy. It isn't just a sticker on the back of your license. Third, by
hosting a donor drive in Grafton, ND we are praying that a donor can be
found for someone, in our case one of our own, Joanie Silewski. By being
registered and tested you could very well be a donor to another young
mother or to a small child that needs a shot at life.
Being tested is the easiest part. Short confidential registration,
you just answer a few questions. No needles. Two cotton q-tip like swabs
are used to swab of the inside of your cheeks and you are done.
The collection process of stem cells is an out patient procedure.
80% of the time stem cells are collected in a blood transfusion method.
This means you go to the hospital, an IV is put in one arm. Blood is
drawn from that arm and goes into a machine that pulls stem cells out of
your blood. After the blood as been filtered it then goes right back
into you thru another IV that is in your other arm. This process
takes about 4hrs. Side effects maybe a slight headache or flu like
symptoms from the stem cell booster shot they give you a day before.
Symptoms disappear as soon as the collection starts, thus removing the
extra stem cells from you.
Yes, we've all heard the horror stories about collecting bone
marrow from the pelvic bone. However, it isn't as horrific as the
tales are being told. Modern medicine has come a l-o-n-g way baby! Yes,
there maybe a chance that you might have to have the stem cells
collected from the pelvic bone. 20% of stem cell collections are done
this way. This means that you will either have a local anesthetic or you
will be put completely under with a general anesthesia. A highly trained
person will insert a needle into the area, collect the stem cells and
you are done. The pain rating for this would be the equivalent to
have fallen and have a slight bruise, nothing that a couple mild pain
relievers would not take care of. Remember the age range that can be
tested is 18-55. YOUNGSTERS!
If you are called because your genetic DNA matches someone, you will
have to go to a LOCAL hospital. For us I believe the closest would be
Fargo. Do a little touring, have some noodles make a day of it! Both
procedures listed above are outpatient. NO HOSPITAL STAY, You are in and
out the same day. Also the out of pocket cost to you depends on how
much you spend touring or where you go to eat. ha-ha Seriously the
recipient of the stem cells, the person you are donating to; their
insurance pays for your medical involvement.
So it costs you nothing to get tested. A monetary donation to DKMS,
a non-profit organization, is appreciated because they rely solely on
donations to survive. If you are a match you do not have to pay for any
of the medical expenses. You are not required to travel to all ends of
the earth. So when you look at the big picture of being a possible bone
marrow donor. The pros really truly out weigh the cons.
Give hope. Give life. <<<<<<<
Thanks a million for caring and sharing Cathy. I hope the Bone Marrow
Donor Drive in Grafton on March 7 is a huge success. There should be
lots of folks willing to volunteer their help on the 7th, many who can
volunteer as a donor, AND I can see no reason why everyone shouldn't be
praying for Joanie T., George C., Jim D., Richard T., and everyone else
who's future and well being depends so much on the energies and
synergy's of all of us.
Or so it seems to me.
P.S.
If, for any reason, you find you are unable to participate
"physically". Please consider sending a donation (check) to the Bone
Marrow Donor Drive center at St. Johns Church on March 7th.
As far as the apple pie offer is concerned Cathy, I'm going to leave
that to the Lord and my weight trainer. I suspect I am going to lose
(pardon the pun) that argument anyway.
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REMEMBER ~~ THIS ~ SUNDAY
"FREE WILL OFFERING"
PANCAKE AND SAUSAGE BREAKFAST AT HERITAGE VILLAGE, SUNDAY,
FEB 15TH FROM 9AM TIL 1PM.
ALL PROCEEDS TO BE USED FOR THE PRESERVATION OF GRAFTON'S HERITAGE
VILLAGE AND JUGVILLE.
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"If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin'.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"By the time we get done spending money to save the economy. There will
be so many zero's on a one dollar bill, there won't be room for
Washington picture."
Or so it seems to me.
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GOTTA GO WORK ON MY DASH
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"Life is to short for long answers." GLM


Write if you can, call if you can't, and, tell your loved ones they
are,..... before it's too late.

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