Sunday, June 18, 2006
What I am Thankful For
Father's Day - June 18, 2006
On this Father’s Day, I’m grateful for my two sons, Declan and Jack, and the richness they bring to my life. I’m thankful that they are happy and healthy boys.
After Declan was born, our doctor noticed he had petechiae (small red spots where he was bleeding into his skin). Declan was soon diagnosed with Neonatal Alloimmune Thrombocytopenia (NAT). This is a condition where the gestating baby’s blood platelets have a specific antigen (or toxin) that the mother’s antibodies react to negatively, destroying the baby’s platelets. Deficient platelet levels are a serious and potentially life-threatening situation. Declan required multiple platelet transfusions after he was born, but with them, he was soon in the clear.
Because of this condition, Kathleen’s pregnancy with Jack was far from routine. Our doctor told us that in subsequent pregnancies, the risks posed by NAT increase exponentially, but she believed she could attend Kathleen and deliver a healthy baby.
During Kathleen’s pregnancy, Jack received two platelet transfusions in utero, at 28 and 32 weeks. The doctor used an ultrasound to draw Jack’s blood through the umbilical cord, test it and then transfuse Jack with platelets that lacked the above mentioned antigen. These transfusions helped, and Jack was born a safe platelet level. He was provided with an additional transfusion after he was born as a precautionary measure.
Declan and Jack both received the specific platelets they needed from BloodSource, provided by the same donor both times. There are not many blood donors that have this particular type of platelet, as it is a fairly rare platelet type among the general populace. BloodSource is using Declan and Jack’s story as one of their success stories, and are currently using the boys in their promotional campaign to attract more donors.
This is where you come in.
I recently had my 39th birthday. Kathleen wanted to know what I wanted to do for my 40th birthday next May. I thought back when a good friend of mine had his 30th birthday – he had a party that benefited the Sacramento Food Bank. I decided I would borrow his idea, but have BloodSource as my beneficiary.
By the time I turn 40 next May 22, it is my goal to get friends, family and colleagues to donate 400 pints of blood. To track this goal, BloodSource established the Murphy 400 Fund.
Giving blood is safe, easy, and it takes about an hour. There are many convenient locations throughout our region to donate. Appointments are recommended. (For friends and colleagues outside of the Sacramento region, you can locate your nearest blood center by calling 1-800-GIVE LIFE or visiting www.givelife.org.) When you donate, tell BloodSource you’re donating to the Murphy 400 Fund, and we’ll be able to track the donations we receive. I would also ask that you consider sponsoring a blood drive at your place of business for the Murphy 400 Fund. Please contact me if you’re interested in this.
It usually takes a person three times to donate in order for the “habit” to be formed. With your help, I can reach the goal of 400 pints by next May, while also establishing a large number of new donors who give regularly.
Stay tuned for more information about blood drives and updates on my goal to reach 400 pints!
Thanks –
Tim Murphy
Elk Grove, California
Post a Comment
On this Father’s Day, I’m grateful for my two sons, Declan and Jack, and the richness they bring to my life. I’m thankful that they are happy and healthy boys.
After Declan was born, our doctor noticed he had petechiae (small red spots where he was bleeding into his skin). Declan was soon diagnosed with Neonatal Alloimmune Thrombocytopenia (NAT). This is a condition where the gestating baby’s blood platelets have a specific antigen (or toxin) that the mother’s antibodies react to negatively, destroying the baby’s platelets. Deficient platelet levels are a serious and potentially life-threatening situation. Declan required multiple platelet transfusions after he was born, but with them, he was soon in the clear.
Because of this condition, Kathleen’s pregnancy with Jack was far from routine. Our doctor told us that in subsequent pregnancies, the risks posed by NAT increase exponentially, but she believed she could attend Kathleen and deliver a healthy baby.
During Kathleen’s pregnancy, Jack received two platelet transfusions in utero, at 28 and 32 weeks. The doctor used an ultrasound to draw Jack’s blood through the umbilical cord, test it and then transfuse Jack with platelets that lacked the above mentioned antigen. These transfusions helped, and Jack was born a safe platelet level. He was provided with an additional transfusion after he was born as a precautionary measure.
Declan and Jack both received the specific platelets they needed from BloodSource, provided by the same donor both times. There are not many blood donors that have this particular type of platelet, as it is a fairly rare platelet type among the general populace. BloodSource is using Declan and Jack’s story as one of their success stories, and are currently using the boys in their promotional campaign to attract more donors.
This is where you come in.
I recently had my 39th birthday. Kathleen wanted to know what I wanted to do for my 40th birthday next May. I thought back when a good friend of mine had his 30th birthday – he had a party that benefited the Sacramento Food Bank. I decided I would borrow his idea, but have BloodSource as my beneficiary.
By the time I turn 40 next May 22, it is my goal to get friends, family and colleagues to donate 400 pints of blood. To track this goal, BloodSource established the Murphy 400 Fund.
Giving blood is safe, easy, and it takes about an hour. There are many convenient locations throughout our region to donate. Appointments are recommended. (For friends and colleagues outside of the Sacramento region, you can locate your nearest blood center by calling 1-800-GIVE LIFE or visiting www.givelife.org.) When you donate, tell BloodSource you’re donating to the Murphy 400 Fund, and we’ll be able to track the donations we receive. I would also ask that you consider sponsoring a blood drive at your place of business for the Murphy 400 Fund. Please contact me if you’re interested in this.
It usually takes a person three times to donate in order for the “habit” to be formed. With your help, I can reach the goal of 400 pints by next May, while also establishing a large number of new donors who give regularly.
Stay tuned for more information about blood drives and updates on my goal to reach 400 pints!
Thanks –
Tim Murphy
Elk Grove, California
Post a Comment
Give Blood to the Murphy 400 Fund
No part of the content or the blog may be reproduced without permission.