Drive to attract Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Donors

Judah required two stem cell transplants during the course of his treatment. The first was using his own stem cells. He was in remission for almost six months after this treatment. His cancer reemerged and his only chance at survival was another stem cell transplant from a donor. The call went out to family and friends and over 250 people registered to be come donors if they matched. A match was found, not from our pool, but a young man, who still is anonymous. It was a match 0f 9 out our 12 criterea. It was the best available.

What Judah learned from this search for a match is the need to have as many people as possible listed on the National Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Data base. When a match is needed all the national and international data bases are computer searched. Yet, there are aproximately 5 million people listed as donors.

After Judah passed, we founded a non profit organization Project Judah, to encourage people to become registrants on the National Bone Marrow and Stem Cell data base.

Sunday , April 29th, at the Israel Festival at Woodley Park, in the Valley, Project Judah will, in conjunction with the City of Hope, run a drive. The festival is from early in the morning to 7 pm, The City of Hope staff will be on site from Noon to five pm. Look for the Project Judah booth. (Project Yehuda) The cost is $65.00 per person, however, we have a special arrangement with both the City of Hope and several financial donors to cover the cost for any one who needs it. City of Hope asks that any donation of any amount be made. Project Judah and our special donor will cover the remainder of the costs.

Please pass this information on to any one you know who might be interested. We also could use your help at the booth.

This is such an important project, that even Judah who was a most private guy, lent his name and story to the Jewish Journal in order to bring attention to the need to register more people.

This is the first of many drives we plan for the coming year.

If you want more information email to ivorytrust@aol.com, and David@Nemetzfamily.com

As always with much love and thanks,

Dave and Martha and Family