Michael Brecker illness
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Topic: Michael Brecker illness
Posted By: Dick Heath
Subject: Michael Brecker illness
Date 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/ - 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
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Replies:
Posted By: sigod
Date Posted: August 04 2005 at 11:20
That's terrible news but I'm glad that The Breckers are putting out the call.
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I must remind the right honourable gentleman that a monologue is not a decision.
- Clement Atlee, on Winston Churchill
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