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This is what hope looks like.

It may not look like much to you....until you learn who gave it, how it was given, and who received it.

You've no doubt heard of stem cells being used to treat a variety of diseases, especially cancer. These days, most stem cells are obtained through lines placed in the veins of our donors, then run through a special machine which selects the stem cells and returns the remaining blood to the donor. We can also use umbilical stem cells (obtained from the placenta after the baby has been born). And then we also occasionally use cells obtained from the donor's bone marrow while he is under general anesthesia.

The photo you see above was taken during an infusion of stem cells. That precious drop of red stuff you see is teeming with stem cells. The little bag you see contained more than 1,000,000 stem cells... cells which, in this case, are filled with love. Because this is what one family is relying on... along with their strong faith in God... to bring about a cure. One man sharing hope with another through the gift of bone marrow which is packed with cells to help his brother regain his health.

Mom, wife, recipient, and donor
This family is typical of those helped by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). And research funded by the LLS is used to develop cures for blood cancers as well as treatments to improved the quality of life of patients such as these. I've spoken about the work of the LLS in a couple of posts recently. (See here and here.) They've got a fundraiser going on for just a few more weeks. I'd like to ask you to consider donating to support the great work they do. Please click here and donate. I would appreciate it, and so would the folks pictured here.



PS - if you're a stem cell transplant survivor, here are a site you might want to investigate: Bone Marrow & Stem Cell Transplant Survivors Club (on Facebook). And know that I'm wishing you good health and a great life!




51 comments:

  1. 4 Lettre WordsApril 4, 2016 at 10:02 AM

    Thought-provoking post...and I love that quote!

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  2. Sharon WagnerApril 4, 2016 at 10:09 AM

    That quote is so moving. There but for the grace of god go I.

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  3. Maggie@shelter-catsApril 4, 2016 at 10:19 AM

    That's a very powerful post and message.
    Thank you for sharing and hosting.

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  4. KlaraApril 4, 2016 at 11:01 AM

    so true the quote!

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  5. Nina April 4, 2016 at 12:40 PM

    That surely is hope made tangible! How wonderful to donate stem cells in order to give life to someone else!

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  6. likeschocolateApril 4, 2016 at 2:00 PM

    Praying! Such an ugly disease. Hope!

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  7. Linda KayApril 4, 2016 at 3:28 PM

    Prayers going up. Bless all involved in his treatment. I had a friend who went through stem cell replacement for ovarian cancer.

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  8. stevebethereApril 4, 2016 at 4:43 PM

    I agree with previous comments that quote is spot on :-)

    Have a fab week :-)

    Best wishes

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  9. A Bit of the BlarneyApril 4, 2016 at 4:44 PM

    Your quote says it all! Will continue to pray for all who suffer from chronic health conditions. Thank you!

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  10. Pat @ Mille Fiori FavoritiApril 4, 2016 at 5:17 PM

    I pray for a cure for the man in your post, Sue. My friend's son had a stem cell transplant for his lymphoma. The cells were donated by his sister. Unfortunately his immune system never recovered from the massive chemo that he received before the procedure. I hope as time and research goes on that the procedure can be made easier to go through and that there will be more success stories and the best would be a cure for cancer in all forms. God bless!

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  11. Sunshine and ElephantsApril 4, 2016 at 5:36 PM

    I appreciate you sharing such a personal post and the pictures of hope for so many people out there who may need it. I pray this family receives all they can from this process and they are blessed to have you on their side. Have a great week!

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  12. Minoru SaitoApril 4, 2016 at 6:18 PM

    Hi! I hope many people recover from the blood cancers. BTW,induced pluripotent stem cells were made by Japanese researching group for the first time in the world. Thanks for sharing.

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  13. Karren HallerApril 4, 2016 at 6:20 PM

    Such a horrible disease!!The quote is perfect!!

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  14. Alexa TApril 4, 2016 at 7:11 PM

    A great week to you, too! And greetings of well to all! Impressive, sensitive post!

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  15. csuhpat1April 4, 2016 at 10:51 PM

    That is so true. The quote is great. Prayers to all.

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  16. RuthApril 4, 2016 at 11:50 PM

    Thanks for spreading such a beautiful message. A message full of hope and life. We all know a person who have died of cancer but we also know people who have survived and are living wonderful lives. Hope more advances in terms of treatment are made in the near future.

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  17. KatarinaApril 5, 2016 at 1:27 AM

    Powerful post!

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  18. Phil SladeApril 5, 2016 at 4:20 AM

    Thank you for sharing this story Sue. Your words and pictures bring the reality into our homes.

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  19. Tamar SBApril 5, 2016 at 5:10 AM

    Medicine has come so far, hoping for more progress daily.

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  20. DeniseinVAApril 5, 2016 at 6:24 AM

    A very moving and important issue to get out there. Thank you for sharing this.

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  21. BirgittaApril 5, 2016 at 9:08 AM

    Powerful post!

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  22. Christina MorleyApril 5, 2016 at 11:25 AM

    Thank you for all that you do! God bless!

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  23. elizabethApril 5, 2016 at 1:18 PM

    What a life giving photo, a life giving thing to do!

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  24. Pieni LintuApril 5, 2016 at 1:51 PM

    Great post!!

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  25. Cascia TalbertApril 5, 2016 at 3:32 PM

    Wow! I hope this treatment helps. Thanks for hosting. Have a terrific week!

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  26. FANCY the Red Standard PoodleApril 5, 2016 at 5:17 PM

    Hi Y'all!

    A dear family friend enters the hospital tomorrow to begin a bone marrow transplant.

    BrownDog's Human

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  27. Ai SakuraApril 5, 2016 at 5:52 PM

    Awesome reminder.. thank you.

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  28. Anne (cornucopia)April 5, 2016 at 6:57 PM

    Powerful post!

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  29. SweetdayApril 5, 2016 at 8:09 PM

    A powerful message! Informative too!

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  30. Life Images by JillApril 5, 2016 at 8:59 PM

    Certainly a precious gift of love and hope.

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  31. Arnoldo L. Romero, MLAApril 5, 2016 at 10:26 PM

    This was a heartwarming post on a very important subject. Blessings!

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  32. Catch My WordsApril 5, 2016 at 11:01 PM

    Cool.

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  33. LindaApril 6, 2016 at 12:39 AM

    Progress is coming quickly!

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  34. JulieApril 6, 2016 at 2:14 AM

    Powerful and informative post, Sue!

    Thanks for hostig and happy ww!
    Best, Joana

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  35. isabella kramer - vereditApril 6, 2016 at 4:04 AM

    Thanks for this powerful post!!

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  36. real girl sportApril 6, 2016 at 4:07 AM

    Unexpectedly moving post Sue, that simple photo tells so much as you say. Important cause to promote indeed.

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  37. Nancy ChanApril 6, 2016 at 4:33 AM

    Thought provoking quote by Allison A. Thank you for this meaningful post. I have been hearing a lot about stem cells and the healing wonders that are bringing hope to many patients.

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  38. Alastriona, The Cats and Dogs April 6, 2016 at 5:31 AM

    Very interesting, stem cells give hope to so many people.

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  39. Deb Nance at ReaderbuzzApril 6, 2016 at 6:33 AM

    Eleven years ago, I donated stem cells to a woman who needed them in Germany and who was a perfect match. Sadly, the cell treatment didn't work and she passed away, but I was happy to have tried to help.

    http://readerbuzz.blogspot.com/2016/04/baseball.html

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  40. JulieApril 6, 2016 at 6:47 AM

    Thanks for your nice comment Sue! No I know not as accurate, but in northern Germany many lighthouses are painted in this colours. I suspect it has to do with the fact that one can recognize them quickly. I will inform me and then write to you!
    Have a nice day, Joana

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  41. NikkiApril 6, 2016 at 9:31 AM

    Such a powerful post

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  42. StarTraciApril 6, 2016 at 10:13 AM

    That is beautiful! Blessings and healing to him.
    Traci

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  43. AnonymousApril 6, 2016 at 10:43 AM

    Science is amazing but it needs support of the people to move forward. This is such an amazing post! Thank sfor sharing.

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  44. SharonApril 6, 2016 at 1:52 PM

    What a heartwarming post. Medicine has made such advances in the last few years -- always something new and life-saving. Thanks for sharing this story!

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  45. meowmeowmansApril 6, 2016 at 1:53 PM

    Such a powerful post! Stem cells are making so many things possible now. Amazing.

    Thank you for hosting Wordless Wednesday. Have a great day! :)

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  46. ElaApril 6, 2016 at 4:00 PM

    Great post !!!!!
    Greetings

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  47. bailiApril 7, 2016 at 9:31 AM

    impressive job,hope all goes well for these patients

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  48. The Artful DivaApril 8, 2016 at 10:05 AM

    God bless them all - I hope and pray for a cure

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  49. Grey World NomadsApril 8, 2016 at 10:06 AM

    Hang in there

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  50. RoseApril 8, 2016 at 11:24 PM

    It is not what I expected to see for Tuesday's treasures, but it sure is a treasure.

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  51. baju princess anakMay 10, 2016 at 5:36 AM

    Great, thanks for sharing this blog article.Really Fantastic
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    ReplyDelete

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