Michael Brecker illness

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic

   Just picked up on this. Jazz tenor saxophonist, Michael Brecker has
done more session work than most including  a number of prog
records, and this message has come through, can you help:

Trying to spread this around, sad news but maybe the right person 

will see this: 

e-mail from Michael Brecker's wife 

FROM: Susan Brecker 

SUBJECT: Michael Brecker needs your help. 

Dear Family and Friends, 

My husband, Michael Brecker, has been diagnosed with MDS 

(myelodysplastic syndrome), and its critical that he undergoes a stem 

cell transplant. The initial search for a donor (including Michael's 

siblings and children) has not yet resulted in a suitable match. 

Michael's doctors have told us that we need to immediately explore 

ALL possible options. This involves getting as many people of a 

similar genetic background to be tested. 

There are some important points to understand concerning this 

process: 

1. The screening involves a blood test only. It can be done very 

quickly either at a marrow donation center or at a LOCAL LAB. The 

cost is anywhere from $40 to $75 and your insurance may cover it. (In 

NYC, you can call Frazier, at the NY Blood Bank, at 212-570-3441, and 

make an appointment for HLA typing. It costs $40.00.) Check with your 

local blood bank, or go to http://www.marrow.org to find the donor 

center nearest you. 

2. Your blood typing information can be posted on the international 

registry, if you choose, where it would also be available to others 

in need of a transplant. BEING ON THE REGISTRY DOESN'T MEAN YOU HAVE 

TO DONATE, it just means that you may be ASKED to do so. You can take 

your name off the registry at any time. 

3. Should you be selected as a potential donor for Michael, please 

understand that there have been tremendous advances in bone marrow 

transplants and the term itself can be misleading. Bone marrow 

donation is no more invasive than giving blood. Stem cells are simply 

harvested from your blood and then transplanted to Michael. 

4. A match for Michael would be most likely to come from those of 

Eastern European Jewish descent. If you or anyone you know are in 

this category please make a special effort to immediately get tested. 

Ultimately, you would be doing something not just for Michael, but 

for so many more who are in a similar situation as my husband. 

5. You are now part of our internet-based drive for donor testing. If 

everyone who receives this can motivate a bunch of their friends to 

get tested, and those friends then forward this email to get their 

friends to get tested, we will have rapidly expanded the pool of 

potential donors. I urge all of you to get tested AS SOON AS 

POSSIBLE. 

Any local blood center/Red Cross center can assist in organizing a 

drive for Michael, although it would be desirable if you can get a 

large group, e.g. a synagogue, to sponsor it. Should you have any 

questions about this, please don't hesitate to get in touch with 

Michael's management office at 212.302.9200 or 

[email protected]. 

Thank you so much for your love and support. 

We are so grateful. 

Susan xo

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
Dick Heath Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Jazz-Rock Specialist Joined: April 19 2004 Location: England Status: Offline Points: 12812	Topic: Michael Brecker illness Posted: July 29 2005 at 15:04
	Just picked up on this. Jazz tenor saxophonist, Michael Brecker has done more session work than most including a number of prog records, and this message has come through, can you help: Trying to spread this around, sad news but maybe the right person will see this: e-mail from Michael Brecker's wife FROM: Susan Brecker SUBJECT: Michael Brecker needs your help. Dear Family and Friends, My husband, Michael Brecker, has been diagnosed with MDS (myelodysplastic syndrome), and its critical that he undergoes a stem cell transplant. The initial search for a donor (including Michael's siblings and children) has not yet resulted in a suitable match. Michael's doctors have told us that we need to immediately explore ALL possible options. This involves getting as many people of a similar genetic background to be tested. There are some important points to understand concerning this process: 1. The screening involves a blood test only. It can be done very quickly either at a marrow donation center or at a LOCAL LAB. The cost is anywhere from $40 to $75 and your insurance may cover it. (In NYC, you can call Frazier, at the NY Blood Bank, at 212-570-3441, and make an appointment for HLA typing. It costs $40.00.) Check with your local blood bank, or go to http://www.marrow.org to find the donor center nearest you. 2. Your blood typing information can be posted on the international registry, if you choose, where it would also be available to others in need of a transplant. BEING ON THE REGISTRY DOESN'T MEAN YOU HAVE TO DONATE, it just means that you may be ASKED to do so. You can take your name off the registry at any time. 3. Should you be selected as a potential donor for Michael, please understand that there have been tremendous advances in bone marrow transplants and the term itself can be misleading. Bone marrow donation is no more invasive than giving blood. Stem cells are simply harvested from your blood and then transplanted to Michael. 4. A match for Michael would be most likely to come from those of Eastern European Jewish descent. If you or anyone you know are in this category please make a special effort to immediately get tested. Ultimately, you would be doing something not just for Michael, but for so many more who are in a similar situation as my husband. 5. You are now part of our internet-based drive for donor testing. If everyone who receives this can motivate a bunch of their friends to get tested, and those friends then forward this email to get their friends to get tested, we will have rapidly expanded the pool of potential donors. I urge all of you to get tested AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Any local blood center/Red Cross center can assist in organizing a drive for Michael, although it would be desirable if you can get a large group, e.g. a synagogue, to sponsor it. Should you have any questions about this, please don't hesitate to get in touch with Michael's management office at 212.302.9200 or [email protected]. Thank you so much for your love and support. We are so grateful. Susan xo

sigod Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: September 17 2004 Location: London Status: Offline Points: 2779	Posted: August 04 2005 at 11:20
	That's terrible news but I'm glad that The Breckers are putting out the call.
	I must remind the right honourable gentleman that a monologue is not a decision. - Clement Atlee, on Winston Churchill