Adrian Sudbury of the UK has an incredibly rare type of cancer...in fact, he has been told that he is the only person in the world to have been diagnosed with this exact condition.
Although it is too late for a bone marrow transplant to save him, Adrian wants to make a lasting difference for years to come. He is attempting to make it compulsory for 16-17 year olds in the UK to receive education about bone marrow, blood and organ donation at college by taking on the government and the media. Having already had meetings with the Prime Minister and having been on TV and radio, Adrian has set up a Petition (UK residents only may sign) with well over 8000 signatures to date.
Because of Tricia's recent diagnosis, bone marrow has now entered our radar as something that may (very small possibility) affect our lives in a very direct way sometime in the future. I encourage you (especially if you're a resident of the UK) to take a look at Adrian's blog and consider signing his petition.
BTW, today (originally written on July 15, 2008) is Adrian's 27th birthday.
Thanks!
Nate
39 comments:
Happy birthday Adrian. I think you're giving the world the best present of all: an education on a topic that could change the quality of life for so many. I hope your birthday wish(es) come true! Cheers!
I have signed. I also support the campaign here in the UK to make people opt out of organ donation rather than having to opt in. And everyone should give blood, if at all possible - I can't, as I've had an illness that debars me for life, but my husband gives regularly, and everybody should if they can.
UK's Prime Minister, Gordon Brown has a son with CF. Hopefully this will open his ears to issues like this....
Just yesterday we found out that our youngest son is an HLA match for our second son. With God's grace, the BMT will cure Chet and he will have a chance that most people with his disease do not.
Adrian, and others like him, are my heroes. So are the ones who literally give of themselves to save others.
Raising awareness of marrow needs is necessary world-wide. When somebody needs a donor, the registries from all over the world are searched. I have worked with local groups in raising awareness, but I love Adrian's idea. I am going to have to see what can be done to introduce this form of education to young adults here.
Hey Nate! Thanks for the post...I have been a Bone Marrow Donor since 1993 and got a call about a month ago that I might be a match for a 31 year old lady...I went and got further testing done and we are currently awaiting the results. They said there is only about a 12% chance that I (Or anyone for that matter) will match once you get past this point, but it is exciting...I hope I am a perfect match for her!!!! We will know in about 4 weeks...Thanks for bringing so much awareness about donation....Hope ya'll are having a nice day!
Nate, i just checked Adrian's blog and was struck by the realization that he is 27... today. As I realized what that meant to me specifically, I was given a new appreciation for my own life. You see just 2 days ago I celebrated my own 27th birthday. How amazing it is to me that you have once again made me re-focus, count my blessings and thank God for life I have been given. Don't ever doubt for a second that you are touching lives by telling your story and sharing the stories of others! Katie
http://kpolk2420.blogspot.com
Happy Birthday Adrian, I'm praying for you and your family! That's a great goal to educate for others.
Thanks so much for posting this Nate, its really appreciated. Apparently in Germany they give compulsory talks to 16/17 year olds on these issues and they have a high rate of bone marrow, organ and blood donors as a result. When you think of all the things you learn at school, a half-hour talk on how you could save other people's lives is pretty significant!
Love agin to you, Tricia and that gorgeous little baby of yours, Gwyneth! xxxx
I just wanted to let you know, that here in the US, you can register to be a marrow donor, www.marrow.org. It costs $52, but often times they have promotions where the fee is waived. During the month of May it was free. Just wanted to put that out there for both you and your readers. It is a one time thing, so once you register, you stay registered until you turn 60.
At the age of 19, I registered and hopefully some day, my marrow will help save someones life.
Ah, this saddens me. While it was expected, it's sad nonetheless.
He must have been an amazing young man.
Hey Nate. Thanks for passing my info to Megan. It was great to hear from her personally.
You seem to be such an amazing husband to stay on top of all the latest and greatest for your bride. Take care of you too!! They need you.
Blessings!
Sad to hear that he has gone.
Incidentally, did you know that Gordon Brown, our Prime Minister, not only has a child diagnosed with CF, but also lost his first child, who was born prematurely and didn't make it?
What an amazing man. He has really taught so many people so much, how to enjoy life.
My thoughts and prayers are with Adrian and his family. Nate - when you first posted about bone marrow donation, I signed up, received a home kit and sent it in. I am now officially on the roster and I thank you for the encouragement!
My thoughts and prayers are wiht Adrian and his family. Nate - when you first posted about bone marrow donation, I signed up, received a home kit and sent it in. I am now officially on the roster and I thank you for the encouragement!
I have been following his blog for a while now and the past few weeks it grew harder to click on his link fearing his passing as he chose not to anything more medically..Today my heart is broken, but I do know his dream will become a reality as he touhed so many people with his life. I will miss his humor,his wit, and him...
He's dead. (Aug 20)
Adrian is dead(Aug 20)
Donna - I think Nate bumped the original post from July, which was his birthday.
God bless you Adrian...you are in my thoughts and prayers today.
What an incredible thing to do! My 2yr old niece just recieved a bone marrow transplant this last friday. It is her second time with leukemia and she needed the transplant. My prayers will continue to be with Tricia, Gwyneth and you.
Gutted. Had read about him through your site. Saw a mention on the BBC News site about a 27 yr old journalist and feared the worst.
He fought a brave fight. God bless.
Praying for Adrian's family during this difficult time.
Praying for Tricia especially hard throughout the next few sick days. Praying that God will choose to take this cancer from her while also keeping her rejection free.
I just caught up on the last few posts and I'm so happy to hear that Gwyneth is doing so well. :)
Ive checked out Adrians blog a few times. While we can pray no longer for him (because he is no longer with us), I will continue to pray for his family and his quest. Thank you Nate for encouraging so many to be bone marrow donors, organ donors and to raise money and awareness for these and CF. You hav e done and continue to do an amazing job.
I signed Adrian's petition and wholeheartedly support his wish. May he R.I.P. and see his wish granted.
His story made it even to my city's newspaper today, spreading the word even farther. Hope the spread of awareness is some comfort to the family he left behind.
That's really sad to hear about Adrian. Incidentally, the petition has now been closed. But over 11,000 people signed it. My friend (now a doctor) was a driving force amongst the students at Aberdeen University (Scotland) to encourage more people to go on the Bone Marrow register.
Been praying for you guys over the last few days...Tricia especially with the side-effects from the chemo treatment you've been blogging about.
I'm so sorry...
So sad. Thanks for keeping us updated though. He really is a hero!
So sad. Thanks for keeping us updated though. He really is a hero!
I just started my blog and personally wanted to say hey and thank you for being an amazing family in this world. I've read all your post since before tricia even went in for the transplant maybe it was around may or so. I've cried with your sadness and smiled with your joy. I dont know you but love you and God is so amazing. I will always continue to keep your family in my prayers. Im also so excited to be a regular commenter now and pop in to say hello more often.
great, great sadness...
So sad.
my heart goes out to his family and friends.
This gentleman, our brother, has a small child named Jaymun, with Leukemia. He has done a lot of "experimenting/research" on ways to cope with chemo. Maybe he would have some ideas...
I am praying for Tricia.
http://www.jaymun.com/medical/
Hi Nate,
Thank you for posting about Adrian. I'm sorry for His loss and pray his family finds comfort in the only One who can bring it during a time such as this.
You are such a beautiful writer and your heart just brings me to tears often. I am honored to be called a Sister in Christ with you and your family.
Thank you for all that you do Nate. Praying for you and Tricia as you face this road before you both. Trusting God to reveal all that you need to make the best choices along this path!
Love,
Jill
what a handsome guy and such a sad thing....
Nate, Thank you for posting this. Through an on-line mom's group in LA, I met a woman who has Leukemia and is also a mom of a two year old. She received a bone marrow transplant, and her temple hosted a "sign up day." Because of her, I signed up and asked my friends to join. Had I not had a personal encounter with another mom, I may not have signed up to be a donor. It's posts like these that give people the momentum to act. So again, thanks for your incredible outreach! You're saving lives.
I found your blog through Adrian's - I am extremely afraid of nails however, my job is having a blood drive on 9/5 and I will be there, wearing my "Adrian's Army" t-shirt. Its the lease I can do after everything he did in his final months.
He seemed to be an exceptional young man, who has left a permanant mark on my heart. Along with giving blood, I am also being put on the bone marrow donor list. Just the thought that I could potentially save another person's life, gives me the chills.
May God bless Trisha, you and Gwyneth.
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