[OutVoice] Please help Susan from Goldenrod
TsunamiInc at aol.com
TsunamiInc at aol.com
Thu Feb 4 14:25:44 CST 2010
Susan is a friend and one of the most wonderful people I know. You may know
her from Goldenrod, a well-known women's music distribution company. She's
also been a presence at the Folk Alliance conference, women's music
festivals and other events. If you can help her, please read on. Thanks.
Jamie
Jamie Anderson, writer and musician
creative - quick - sensible shoes
_www.jamieanderson.com/journalist.html_
(http://www.jamieanderson.com/journalist.html)
Quit writing your own bio. Contact me.
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Many of you know Susan Frazier: as the manager of Goldenrod Music in
Lansing, MI; from her work at Women’s Music Festivals; from the Folk Alliance;
from her many years at the YWCA; or her lifetime involvement in Girl Scouts
(and if you know her from GS, you likely know her as boots).
Some of you are aware that Susan was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia
(AML) this past September. This cancer of the bone marrow/blood causes
the rapid growth of abnormal blood cells that interfere with the production
of normal blood cells. Susan’s only symptoms were a lack of energy and
excessive bruising.
She began treatment at Ingham Regional Medical Center in Lansing
immediately following her diagnosis. She has now completed five rounds of
chemotherapy in an effort to destroy the abnormal blood cells and bone marrow and
keep her in remission for as long as possible.
The treatment for leukemia includes the deliberate destruction of the
white blood cells, the body’s primary defense against infection, which has
resulted in several scary battles with opportunistic bugs and many weeks of
hospitalization – including spending the winter holidays in intensive care.
Her best hope for long-term survival is a bone marrow transplant. Testing
has determined that her only sister is not a match and Susan is now
waiting for a match to be found among the generous individuals who have joined
the bone marrow registry.
When a match has been found, the transplant procedure will take place at
the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor, MI, and will involve
a minimum of four to six weeks of hospitalization, followed by treatments
and traveling between Lansing and Ann Arbor twice a week for at least a
year. While Susan is hoping that her recovery will happen much faster, the
doctors at U of M have told her to plan on not being able to work for a year
post transplant.
Both the transplant procedure and the recovery time will involve many
expenses not covered by insurance that Susan must find a way to pay.
Many people have already asked how they can help during this difficult
time and we have put together some ideas
1) A bank account is being set up in Susan’s name to which donations
can be mailed directly. We will share the address and account number as soon
as it is available. You can email _SusanFsFriends at aol.com_
(mailto:SusanFsFriends at aol.com) to receive the account information. Donations are not
tax deductible.
2) You can attend one of the fund raisers being organized for Susan’s
benefit. To be informed of these events, please email
_SusanFsFriends at aol.com_ (mailto:SusanFsFriends at aol.com)
3) You can organize a fund raiser of your own in your area. Perhaps
you could host a dinner in your home, or approach a group you belong to.
4) You can join the National Bone Marrow Registry. For more
information, or to find a bone marrow registry drive near you, visit _www.marrow.org_
(http://www.marrow.org/) .
5) If you, or someone you know, is pregnant encourage her to donate the
umbilical cord blood at the time of birth - labor and delivery are not
affected. No blood is taken from your baby, only from the umbilical cord
itself after your baby is born. This invaluable blood is routinely discarded
after birth. You can obtain more information at _www.marrow.org_
(http://www.marrow.org/) .
6) Send your good wishes and cards to Susan at _sfbootshealth at aol.com_
(mailto:sfbootshealth at aol.com) .
7) Continue to hold Susan in your thoughts and prayers, send her
healing energy, light candles – whatever you are moved to do.
For more information about Leukemia, visit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
web site at _www.lls.org_ (http://www.lls.org/) .
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