Tag Archives: Bone Marrow Transplant

A legacy of giving

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By J.D. Brink, American Red Cross volunteer

I first gave blood because my father had given.

He gave because my sister had leukemia.

He may have given blood before that, but I was too young to know. On Labor Day 1986, my sister Ashley was diagnosed with leukemia at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Toledo. She was three years old at the time. I was not quite ten.

Ashley and David Brink

Leukemia is a cancer of the bone marrow. Since the bone marrow is where blood cells are manufactured, patients with leukemia have a severe lack of them. Red blood cells deliver oxygen throughout the body. White blood cells fight infections. Platelets stick together to form blood clots so we don’t bleed to death. For those with leukemia, these are all in tragically short supply.

I don’t remember a lot from that time. But I do remember her smile, her dancing, her wonderful personality. I think most of my mental images of Ashley come from pictures and home movies. And in the vast majority of them, Ashley is bald. A smiling, beautiful, three- and four-year old girl with no hair. Her hair loss was caused by the chemotherapy used to treat her cancer. Not only did it take hair, it killed her blood cells too. Because of this, Ashley received many blood transfusions. My dad’s blood was not compatible, so he gave so that others could get what they needed.

Ashley and David Brink

I have retained some memories of my own from that time. The handmade sign that hung in our mudroom, just inside the backdoor, warning of every one of Ashley’s low cell counts, asking them to take their shoes off and minimize germs coming into the house. Another was a big handwritten list of rules for my brother and I from Grandma Brink, taped to the closet door. Guidance when Ashley and our mom spent weeks or months at a children’s hospital in Wisconsin. I remember my Uncle Pork (not the name on his birth certificate) staying with us when both parents were there. And I remember all of us staying at the Milwaukee Ronald McDonald House, which is a wonderful charity that supplies a place for families to live while their children are hospitalized away from home. We even spent a Christmas there.

Ashley had a bone marrow transplant on Halloween, 1987. Since all the nurses were in costume, she insisted on dressing as a witch that day, too.

She passed away January 15, 1988. She was only four years old. Her light shined amazingly bright for someone so young with so much pain in her life.

I’ve had a good cry writing this article, reliving memories that had long been forgotten. It feels good.

My father, David Brink, passed away September 20, 2021. Cancer was a factor. My grandma’s list of rules was still on the closet door when we cleared out his house. In his lifetime, he’d donated gallons of blood. I think it was nine gallons. Maybe twelve? (We know how unreliable my memory is.) He signed up to be a bone marrow donor, too, but was never matched for it. But he would have done it, gladly.

I started donating blood as soon as I was legally able, at 18. My first time was in the high school gym, during my school day.

I give because of everything you’ve just read. So did my dad. I hope my son will someday, too.

If you’d like to make an appointment to donate blood or platelets, please visit redcrossblood.org or call 800-RED CROSS.


https://leukemiarf.org/leukemia/statistics/
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4365-leukemia

Posted by Ryan Lang, Red Cross board member and volunteer

Inspired by a loved one’s gift: One of a thousand reasons to give life

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By J. D. Brink, American Red Cross volunteer

Everyone has their own reasons for donating blood with the American Red Cross. Some are inspired by family members, donating to follow in their generous footsteps. Others are charitable by nature. What could be more charitable than giving the gift of life? And former recipients of transfusions sometimes see it as a means of giving back, returning a past favor when they themselves or someone they love were in critical need.

For Candy Sendelbach of East Toledo, it’s a combination of all three.

Candy Sendelbach and her husband Greg

“My husband was diagnosed over a year ago with a very rare blood disease,” she said. “Greg is the love of my life. Funny, creative and loves helping others.  Someone donates blood so he can have regular transfusions that allow him to still be active in spite of his disease. I choose to pass that gift to someone who is in need.”

Greg has PNH. Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a disorder that leads to the premature destruction and impaired production of blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen in the body. White blood cells fight infections. And platelets clot the blood to stop bleeding. All three are affected by PNH. The long, complicated name is derived from the visually shocking results patients may find first thing in the morning, when their urine is colored with dead blood cells.

“Bone marrow transplant is the cure,” Sendelbach explained, “but he would not survive it, so he gets medication infused every two months. Unfortunately, the meds aren’t working well so he is receiving blood transfusions every four to six weeks now. While my blood isn’t compatible, I donate so someone else can have a chance at a better life. We are grateful for the donor who helps us and believe God wants us to bless others.”

Sendelbach said that she sometimes donates whole blood but usually gives platelets. “That way I can give more often. And I know they’re going directly to cancer patients.”

Whole blood can be given every eight weeks, up to six times a year. Power Red donations (concentrated red blood cells) can be given every 16 weeks. But platelet donors may give every seven days, up to 24 times a year. 

Toledo’s Executive Parkway location is her blood donation center of choice. A whiteboard on the wall lists where the day’s donations are going. Sendelbach listed cancer patients and a car accident victim as examples she’s seen.

“The people are phenomenal and great to work with,” she added. “Knowing where your blood is going keeps you motivated to give again and again. It’s easy, very little pain and the reward far outweighs any inconvenience.”

To find out if you are eligible to donate blood, visit this page. Ready to give blood to give someone the gift of life? Then find a blood drive near you HERE.

Edited by Glenda Bogar, American Red Cross volunteer

Posted by Ryan Lang, American Red Cross board member and volunteer