Bone Marrow Donor needed for West Tisbury Police Officer

[wild800]

I received an email regarding Officer Don Creighton from one of our Dispatchers last week, and wanted to be sure it was not one of those internet hoaxes before passing it on. We lost a Dispatcher to Leukemia a few years ago, and two of our Sergeants to Cancer all within a period of five years.

I took this from the West Tisbury PD website, and plan to register my bone marrow on behalf of Officer Creighton in memory of Public Safety Dispatcher Charles Pehkonen. Please keep this Officer in your prayers.


Donor for Don

March 31, 2005

Dear Friends,

I am writing to you because my father-in-law Don Creighton, a wonderful father, loving husband, and 31 year police officer (currently on leave from the West Tisbury Police Department, West Tisbury, MA), is in urgent need of a bone marrow transplant that could save his life. So far, doctors have not been able to find a “match” for him; a very specific donor must be found--far beyond just matching blood type--to be considered a viable donor for a transplant candidate.

Last fall, Don was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, a fatal blood disease. Doctors believe that Don contracted this leukemia as a result of his exposure to Agent Orange during his tour of duty with the U.S. Army Air Cavalry in Vietnam. When he was first diagnosed, Don was placed on drug therapy with the hopes that more extreme treatment could be forestalled. Unfortunately, his condition worsened, and he had to undergo seven weeks of extensive hospitalization and chemotherapy treatment. Now, Don needs a bone marrow transplant but a match has not been found.

I am asking you today, if you are between 18-60 years of age and in good general health, to please consider being tested to see if you could
be a match for Don.

The American Red Cross of New England (Don’s regional Red Cross) offers a service that will allow you to be tested specifically for him. It works like this: The Red Cross will send you a test kit. You take the test kit to your doctor’s office or local clinic, where they will prick your finger. The kit is then sent back to The Red Cross, who will do preliminary testing to see if you could be a match for Don. The Red Cross charges a $45 service fee for each test, for which you could find a sponsor or donate the cost yourself. You include the funds paid directly to the American Red Cross when you return your
test kit.

This is a very serious but worthwhile task I am asking you to consider. If you are interested in being tested for Don, just reply by email to
matchfordon@yahoo.com with your name and address and I will make sure you receive a test kit from The Red Cross. For more information about Bone Marrow Donation, please go to www.marrow.org. Joining the National Registry is also an option through this drive.

Please, give it some thought. It is not every day that you can step in and save someone’s life.


Sincerely,
Patti Chern
Matchfordon@yahoo.com
PS. There is a photo of Don below.


[/img]

[Star]

I hope they've gotten a good response. I'll do it, for sure.

[Michelles]

Will pray for him. Hope they will find a match soon.
I'm already in the marrow donor system.
I haven't been called yet.

[wild800]

I just received this email from Officer Creighton's daughter in law.


HELLOOOOOOOOO from PATTI!!!!

GREAT NEWS TO GIVE YOU!

Don met with his doctor this week and it's
official:a "perfect match" has been found for
him!!! Though we don't know a lot of details
at this point, he is scheduled to return to
the hospital May 9th for about a week long
stay, which will include a preparatory round
of chemo with the bone marrow transplant
to take place just a few short days later.

We are so thrilled, and so thankful for the
great response we have had through this drive.
In addition to the support from Don’s family,
friends, and local community, the drive took
on an amazing life of its own in the law
enforcement community; the remarkable efforts
of Don’s co-worker Judy to “spread the word”
resulted in a tremendous, heartfelt response
amongst Don’s brothers and sisters in blue
all across the country, and even into Canada!

Your personal support as a drive participant
has meant so very much to us. If you
requested to be tested through and join
the National Registry, a packet will still be
coming in the mail –Don’s local branch will
be happy to process your kit so you can still
join the NMDP in his honor.

Don's story is proof that miracle matches can happen, and
lives can be saved through these wonderful
programs. We hope you will still join the
National Registry in honor of Don and his donor,
knowing just what kind of incredible difference
one person can make in the life of another in need.

If you recently received a Red Cross kit (to be
tested just for Don) and haven't yet completed it,
feel free to just keep it "on hold" until the transplant
goes through; we will certainly keep everyone
updated! If you did not yet receive a kit, you
may not at this point as the Red Cross is
aware of the good news.

If you are interested in joining the National
Registry and had not yet let me know,
you may still do so through this drive by
emailing Matchfordon@yahoo.com.

Don has spent his life in service to his country
and his community, and it seems fitting that the
favor will now be returned. I know many of you
will be interested in the progress of Don and the
courageous donor who is giving him a second
chance at life.

We will keep you updated, Ipromise! To say this amazing story has a happy
ending just doesn't seem appropriate-- rather, you
have all helped ensure a very hopeful new beginning
for our family. You are all heroes in our eyes.


With love,

Patti and the Creighton Family

[Ranger__101]

I would also just chime in..

For those who donate blood and are offered the chance to be tested and added to the National Bone Marrow Donors list.. Please do!!

You may some day get the call that you are a match for some one who needs it and you can save their life!!

[massgrunt]

Great news.

I can't donate blood (anthrax, smallpox, and malaria exposure), but I will when I'm out of the quarantine time, three or four years.

[christrue]

Unfortunately I too may have medical problems which preclude my
being able to be a bone marrow Donor :(

How I wish I had done so many years earlier! :mad:

[mach_4]

I've had cancer twice so I can't donate, but my brother does in my name. He is also ab negative and donates blood often. Thank all fo you for the help that you give.