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 Allow
me to introduce myself…
My name is Joanna.
I’m twenty-six years old, ambitious bank manager, avid yoga
queen, and Wii fanatic.
What you probably can’t tell from my photo is that in addition
to these things, I have also been battling cancer for the past
two years.
I am seeking a donor for the next stage of my battle. Here is
how you can help: Please attend my donor drive at St. Luke on
Mother’s Day May 11th. Please contact Fr. Christ or
Bessie for more info through your website ST-LUKE.ORG or Bessie
directly at BVZ601@webtv.net
to sign up.
My story…
It
all started two years ago when I noticed a lump under my left
arm. After a few
weeks, the lump grew to the size of a baseball, so I visited my
physician and underwent a biopsy.
A few days later I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
I started the standard course of treatment immediately - six
months of chemotherapy.
I achieved remission and continued regular checkups that
seemed to reaffirm that I too would be one of the 80 percent of
Hodgkin’s patients cured after their first chemo regimen.
Six months later, test results revealed that my cancer was
active again. My
fight continued with more aggressive treatment: more chemo
followed by a stem cell transplant using my own body’s stem
cells. It was an
extremely difficult month spent in the hospital, but once again
the cancer had been eradicated and my recovery was progressing
beautifully. I
returned to work, regained my full head of hair, and I gradually
started to settle back into my normal routine.
Three months later, I had an evaluation of my post-transplant
progress. The lab
results confirmed my worst fear - the cancer had not gone away,
in fact it had spread to my bone marrow.
My family and I sat down with for the most serious consultation
with my doctor I have ever had.
The bottom line was that my only chance for a cure was to
undergo another stem cell transplant - this time from a donor.
I am more determined than fight my way to becoming a
cancer survivor, but I can’t do it alone…
View/print/save the FAQ Word document
View/print/save a flyer about Joanna |
Joanna’s Story:
A former GOYAn of Fr.
Christ & Pres. Michele, Joanna, battles for
her life with
Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
Spare 5 minutes on May 11th for the donor screening and you may
be the one to save Joanna's life.
Joanna was diagnosed in 2006 with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, which is a
cancer of the lymphatic system, and began the standard treatment
of chemotherapy from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.
In 2007, Joanna received more aggressive chemotherapy and
underwent an adult stem cell transplant using her own stem
cells.
Now, in 2008, Joanna is in need of an unrelated ‘matched’ donor
for the life-saving stem cell transplant, which is her only
treatment option for a cure.
She and others like her need to find
special people–someone like you - willing to become a blood stem
cell (or for others marrow) donor so they can have hope for a
second chance at life.
Here’s How You Can Help…
Become a donor - you could be one to save Joanna’s life!
·
Becoming a donor is easy!
Simply commit to being in Church on Sunday, May 11th for
the screening. It only takes a few minutes. Complete
a brief registration & health form and give a swab of your cheek
to be tested.
Bessie's committee will be there to facilitate and help you.
·
Your decision to donate is completely free of charge to
you.
Donor Drive for Joanna at St Luke: save a life!
Sunday May 11, 2008
St. Luke Greek Orthodox Church
12:00pm – 2:00pm
35 N. Malin Rd
Broomall, PA 19008
TO SIGN UP, please contact St. Luke’s
Donor Leader
Bessie Zantopoulos @ 610-359-0558
BVZ601@webtv.net
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