I don’t even know where to start telling you about our day in Katonah New York!  I know we keep telling everyone about the amazing people that contacted us to get involved and help us hold marrow drives.  Well, a few months ago Luann Morris called and told me her story.  Her husband, Jeff, has AML Leukemia and went through a bone marrow transplant 10 months ago.  Luann was impressed with Pat’s efforts and wanted to help others find their marrow match .  Luann set up a drive for us at the Katonah Library and promoted it to the whole community!  She and Jeff recently found out that a neighbor (George) just had a marrow transplant as well and couldn’t believe that there were 2 people in such a small community that just had transplants.  

 

Luann let us park the RV in her driveway the night before the drive and we met Jeff and her children Madison and Sydney.  The next day we set up the drive in the Katonah Library.  It was busy all day long!  The drive was planned in honor of a young woman named Ilissa Schoenberg who had Leukemia and passed away 6 months ago.  Ilissa’s parents and family came to the drive and it was really moving to meet them and hear Ilissa’s story and see her picture.  George and his family came to the drive as well.  They are quite an accomplished family of musicians and it was wonderful to hear his wife, Sloan Wainwright, and son Sam, sing in the room next to the drive.  Pat spoke briefly to everyone and thanked them for coming in support of Ilissa, Jeff and George.  He also talked about his young friend Mathew Gliddon who passed away from Leukemia everal weeks ago.  Pat is dedicating this years Driving For Donors to Mathew and wants people to know the importance of promoting awareness about the need for marrow donors.  

 

We met so many nice people today and I wish I could tell you about all of them but the boys are so tired I have to get them to bed!  We ended up registering 225 new donors and the community helped to raise $4000 for Driving For Donors 2008.  After the drive we had a barbeque at Luann and Jeff’s house with all the volunteers and friends who made the drive a success.  It was great to talk to so many people who really want to help.  

 

From here we are heading to South Kent Connecticut for a weekend of rest with Pat’s godparents, Andy and Nancy, at the South Kent School (SKS).  South Kent is a boys boarding school and the kids love going there to hang out with the students!  

 

Thank you so much to Luann and everyone who made today so wonderful!!!!  

 

1404 new donors registered so far!  Have a great Memorial Day Weekend!