My wife, Gina, recently had a bone marrow tranplant at Dana Farber in Boston. We are currently working to pass legislation in Connecticut regarding bone marrow testing. It is Senate Bill 1014 and it would require that insurance companies cover the cost of bone marrow testing. We think it is important that patients not have the added burden of paying for drives in the search of a suitable donor. Best of luck in your search.

I am a regular blood donor in Ontario. For the past 10 yrs. at least, I have been pushing for the Cdn. Red Cross, and more recently, Cdn. Blood Services to work towards a data bank for bone marrow donors via blood donors. I get nothing but lip service. I can't believe that this is a difficult thing to get into practice. I think that the blood donors are the same type of people that bone marrow donors are-ie-they want to help people, and that they have access to the same data. Why not keep that data for another purpose-bone marrow matches? I realize that there is more to it, but the start of it HAS to be getting the right match, and more data on it has to be better than what they have now. There would be a HUGE increase in data for possible matches. This needs to be promoted and put into practice immediately. I truly do not understand why this can't be done-please persue it.
Good luck with your efforts.
y.t., B.D.M.

Chris -
I am an Italian American and a friend of Courtney's. I have registered and will participate in the Kettering drive this week. I understand that as an Italian, Mrs. Holder had less of a chance to find a match for a donor. I hope that even if not Mrs. Holder, I can help someone in a similar situation. My prayers are with you, Courtney, Mrs. Holder, and the rest of your family. Please do not give up faith.

Hi Chris and Cathy you are always in our thoughts we hope and pray everything will turn out ok .
I have printed out a few copies of your letter Chris
i will put them up where ever i think will suit we are so far away in Scotland but chances are chances.

All our love and prayers
David,Chistine and family

Dear Cathy,

I am a friend of Caitlin's from highschool and I would just like for you to know how much I support you in this struggle. My aunt died of leukemia last December after rounds of unsuccessful treatment. Myself and my family are all bone marrow registrants, although we are French Canadian, so perhaps not a perfect match. Please be assured that people on the bone marrow registry are all dedicated to assisting those with this terrible disease. I go to Queen's University, and I will begin spreading the word of your story around campus as soon as possible. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless.

*Ellie Clin*

Dear Cathy: St. Clare's Parish and I are keeping you and your family in our prayers. God Bless you.

Fr. Scott
Pastor

Hi Cathy,
We can imagine how you must feel. You probably do not remember, but we met shortly one afternoon at the cancer treatment center of KW Health Center. My wife Carla had one of her chemo sessions (Lymphoma),and although we never exchanged words, I do remember that you were sitting in the chair next to us.
I will register myself as a bone-marrow donor this week. The change to have a match is indeed small but I believe that miracles sometimes do happen.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your husband. To you Chris, as the principal care giver: I know what you're going through, the sorrow and despair that this disease causes to both of you. We sincerely hope that your search will soon be over.

You story touched me too. I am a nurse who will post your request for a donor on an internal bulletin board for staff to consider. Best of Luck finding a donor. Take Care Tracey

I work (for the time being) on the top floor of the Cancer Center. I can say there is a very genuine and caring team of Oncology doctors there, so you are in very good hands! I read about your dilemma in The Record and called the number in there to inquire about registering as a potential donor. It appears that they don't register people over the age of 50. I'm of English decent, not Italian, but once while travelling in the US, a restaurant employee insisted that I was indeed Italian! (likely due to an olive tone to my skin). He said I wasn't telling the truth, because he used to live in Toronto for many years and "knows" an Italian when he sees one. haha If I fooled that guy, then I might have been able to fool your bones with my marrow as well. I will pass your story around, Cathy. Keep up the fight, you have a lot of courage!!!

Dear Cathy and Chris,

I am in the Canadian Military and belong to Holy Cross Church in Kitchener. I have passed this e-mail around to some my friends on the Base and hope they will distribute to their friends. Hopefully this will encourage many of them to go and be tested.

May God bless you and keep you both in His love. You are in my prayers.

Holder Family,
Our thoughts are with all of you in this difficult time. We are doing all that we can to spread Cathy's story to our friends and contacts in Canada and throughout the world. The four of us are going to be registered and hopefully we'll come one step closer to finding a match.
Love,
Jan, Dale, Erin and Brad

Hi Chris and Cathy. You haven't met me but I taught Caitlin last year at WCI. I have posted your message and website address in the staffroom, and will speak about this at the next staff meeting. I will also speak to as many students as I can and try to get their eligible siblings and parents involved. I will also encourage eligible students to register. Having watched a friend go through this for the past year and a half, I understand your struggle. My thoughts are with you. Let me know if I can help in any other way - you can contact me through the school.
Wendy Jackman

Cathy, Chris, Courtney and Caitlin:

We continue to pray for all of you. We love you guys!! We could never have been blessed with better neighbours. We continue to spread Cathy's story to all those we know. You are surrounded by lots of love and hugs! Deuteronomy 31:8 says, "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."
With love from the Rush Family,
Wendy, John, Heather, Sarah, Allison and Amy

Dear Cathy, Your letter has been posted and passed around my workplace in London. You beat me to the Marcone Club. One of my employees took it there as well. Another dear friend(also a high spirited special lady by the name of Cathy) is passing it around her sources in Mexico. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
51 and registered anyway.

What Cancer Cannot Do...

It cannot cripple Love,
It cannot shatter Hope,
It cannot corrode Faith,
It cannot eat away Peace,
It cannot destroy Confidence,
It cannot kill Friendship,
It cannot suppress Memories,
It cannot silence Courage,
It cannot invade the Soul,
It cannot steal Eternal Life,
It cannot quench the Spirit.

Mrs. Holder, you are one of the strongest women I know. Your courage inspires everyone who you meet, and I know you will survive any hardships that come your way, just as you have in the past. Stay strong, keep fighting. You are in my prayers.

-Zamin Ladha (friend of Caitlin's)