*Aaron…*During the summer before his freshman year of high school in July
| 2007, Aaron Mervin was like all other kids - preparing for the excitement
| of a new school, hanging out with friends and practicing hard for his JV
| football team. After working out with the team for several weeks, Aaron
| began to experience back pain. The MRI detected a mass in his vertebrae and
| around his spine. He was then airlifted to NC Children's Hospital where he
| was diagnosed with Undifferentiated Sarcoma. 1 year later, in July 2008,
| Aaron was finally remission and doing great. Having beaten the odds, he
| resumed the normal life of a teenager, learning to drive, getting his
| license and his first car.
|
| In July 2010, however, the unexpected struck again. The diagnosis was AML,
| a rare and aggressive form of leukemia. Aaron is undergoing a very
| aggressive treatment plan that will require numerous rounds of chemotherapy
| and a bone marrow transplant.
|
| In his typical form, Aaron is taking the challenge of his new diagnosis in
| stride and is focused on fighting for his cure. We are all very hopeful and
| optimistic about his recovery. At this time, it is undetermined as to
| whether or not his siblings will be a match, but we are reaching out for
| potential donors for Aaron and others like him who are fighting AML and
| other similar diseases.
|
|
| You can help by signing up at
|
| www.bethematch.org
|
| There are NO NEEDLES INVOLVED!
|
| All it takes is a simple swab of your cheek cells.
|
|
| Marrow matches are most likely found within family and secondly within
| ethnic groups. This means Aaron will most likely match another African
| American.
|
|
| Most donations do not involve surgery and are most likely a plasma or
| platelet donation.
|
| Thanks for your support
|
|
| Chris Horton