BLOOD DRIVE FOR TOBY: THE BEST GIFT OF ALL

Here’s a note from friends of Toby and his family. Toby is very ill with a rare form of cancer.

Dear All:
     Toby’s uncle Yoram wrote a note to us yesterday with more info, and I thought I’d share part of it:
     "This weekend Toby was couch-bound; the energetic, playful, and active Toby of last week succumbed to the reality of chemotherapy.  Toby’s in between the second and third cycles of chemotherapy and his bone marrow is pretty wiped out.  This means that he has very few white blood cells to fight off infections, hemoglobin to carry oxygen to the body (and a prime source of energy), and platelets which clot the blood and prevent bleeding.
     Toby’s skin is covered in crops of purple and black bruises (as a result of too few platelets) and rather than exert himself like a normal four year-old, he prefered to remain motionless on the couch (not enough hemoglobin).
     Toby needs for as many of you as possible to donate blood and platelets, not only before his surgery (scheduled sometime after the third round of chemo), but now too.  If you’re able to please try to get over to Sloan and donate."
     PLEASE NOTE: The ongoing need for Toby will be 2-3 units of blood AND 2-3 units of platelets PER WEEK. To insure a quality supply, this actually means that they need to get twice as many donations as needed. This need will persist FOR MANY MONTHS.  Two more donations are needed for THIS WEEK.
     As a community, this is one of the greatest ways we can support Toby and his family NOW. Please call Mary Thomas, coordinator of the Blood Donor Program at 212-639-3335 or email at thomasfm@mskcc. org. You can also call the Blood Donor Room at 212-639-7648. When you make your appointment, let them know that you are donating for Toby Pannone. (Please consult the earlier Blood Drive email for further details re: eligibility, etc.)
     Also, it would be ENORMOUSLY HELPFUL if you would send an email to us at gmach@psjc.org when you make an appointment, just so we can have an idea that needs are being met.
     This is an opportunity for our community, which shows its love and caring to so many people in so many ways, to help save a life.
     Hag sameach and shalom.

Sarah and Marla

(For ongoing updates, please check: http://www.tobypannone.blogspot.com.)

3 thoughts on “BLOOD DRIVE FOR TOBY: THE BEST GIFT OF ALL”

  1. I’m donating platelets again on June 8th and will donate as often as I can

  2. hi caroline,
    i’m mooki, toby’s mom. thank you so much for considering a donation. all blood types are acceptable. Any donation that does not match toby’s will be exchanged with one from the general pool and the name of the donor will be listed in toby’s blood bank. you can find out more information here
    http://tobypannone.blogspot.com/2007/05/blood-and-platelet-drive.html
    louise, we thank you for posting this information on OTBKB and getting the word out.
    love,
    mooki

  3. I would be happy to give blood. Does it have to be a particular type. I didn’t see that listed.

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