Funny how things come full circle. Michelle is Mabel's best friend, practically from birth. 26-year old Michelle was originally diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia, a cancer of the blood, on February 27, 2007. After undergoing 5 rounds of chemotherapy, Michelle reached a state of remission and slowly began to reclaim her life. She also dedicated herself to helping others by creating Project Michelle, a campaign focused on recruiting people to become potential bone marrow donors. Mabel and her also choose to celebrate life and vowed to certain things, like go to Spain (check!) and run the Nike Women's Half Marathon together this October.
Then, In April of 2008, two months after returning to work, Michelle began to feel symptoms similar to those she had felt prior to her original diagnosis. Michelle’s fears became true on May 7, 2008 when her oncologist confirmed that she had relapsed. She was also blindsided by the results of an MRI that revealed a mass on her brain. For Michelle to be cured of her leukemia, her treatment plan will include even more intensive chemotherapy, radiation, and a bone marrow transplant. Unfortunately, Michelle does not currently have a bone marrow match and will not be able to undergo a transplant without one. Michelle is determined to win her battle with leukemia, but she now needs the generosity of others to succeed.
This October, Mabel and I will keep their vow and run the Nike Women's Half in Michelle honor. She has two registered bibs originally for her and Michelle, but I will carry one of them and the Finisher's Necklace will be given to Michelle's mom.
I hope you are as touched by this story as I was and choose to do your part and register if you haven't already. Go now, to register.
No comments:
Post a Comment