Dear Neighbors,

November has been National Marrow Awareness Month, a reminder to celebrate the many advances in stem cell transplantation that are offering more patients hope for longer and healthier lives. Even though November is almost at an end, it's never too late to think about registering as a possible donor. For patients with life-threatening diseases like leukemia and Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, their heroes are the people who give the gift of life -- an unrelated donor of stem cells from bone marrow or blood.

One such patient is my friend and former state representative from Homer, Drew Scalzi. He needs a stem cell transplant to help him fight Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Fortunately, two possible matches have been identified on the National Registry. If one is truly compatible, Drew will get the stem cells he needs to help him fight the cancer.

However, there are many more people here in Alaska and across America who need a hero to help them stay alive. Because there's only a 25% chance that even a close relative's stem cells will match the patient's, many must turn to the National Marrow Donor Program for help in finding the match that will help save their lives. You could be that hero, quickly and painlessly, by donating some of your stem cells from either your bone marrow or the blood in your arm.

To find out more about joining the registry, please go to http://www.marrow.org/HELP/join_the_registry.html. Then please contact The Blood Bank of Alaska, the local agency for stem cell donation, at (907) 222-5600 or http://www.bloodbankofalaska.org/donating/marrow.html.

If you are identified as a potential stem cell donor, all medical costs are covered by the patient or the patient's medical insurance, as are all travel expenses and other non-medical costs.

If you don't qualify, or would rather not donate, there are still many ways you can be someone's hero -- by making a contribution to The Marrow Foundation, telling friends and family about the need for donors, or donating frequent flyer miles to help patients travel to receive treatment. More information is available at http://www.marrow.org/HELP/how_to_help_idx.html.

I've talked before about the chronic shortage of organs and tissues for transplant here in Alaska and nationwide. Since 1992, organ transplants have saved over 350 Alaskans’ lives, and over 4,500 Alaskans have received tissue transplants. However, the terrible news is that at least 55 Alaskans have died waiting for organ transplants since 1992. If you'd like to learn more about how you can give the gift of life, please contact Life Alaska Donor Services, Alaska's organ & tissue donation program, where you can consent to be a donor through the Alaska Donor Gift Registry.

Life Alaska Donor Services
562-LIFE (5433)
Toll-free in Alaska: 1-800-719-LIFE (5433)
www.lifealaska.org

Be hero. Make this Thanksgiving more than just a day to eat turkey. Sign up to donate stem cells, organs, and/or tissues. You can save a life!

Sincerely,

# # #

All addresses are "blind" for your privacy. A strict "no spam" policy is observed. If you don’t wish to receive "Legislative Update", just let me know. If you know a friend or neighbor in District 18 who has not received "Legislative Update" but would like to be included, I will be glad to include them if they contact me. Your replies, comments, questions, and/or suggestions are welcome. Constituent comments on legislation and policy issues may be tabulated, shared with other legislators, or quoted in speeches. Names, however, will be kept private.