Last year, we wrote several posts on the plight of filmmaker Christine Pechera, who had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Christine needed a bone marrow match to survive... but with so few Filipinos (and Asians in general) in the registry, it wasn't looking good.
Christine, her family and friends went grassroots, hitting the media, churches and the Internet with her story and urging people to take the harmless test. Marrow drives were held around the country and even around the world; thousands took the test as a result -- even Maria.
On July 5 last year, she underwent a transplant. I randomly checked in on her blog the other day -- and read the good news. Her cancer is completely gone. She writes:
Who would have guessed that this devastating nightmare would have such a fairytale outcome. I am so thankful for every little thing, every little moment of every day.
The results of the "one-year" Bone Marrow Biopsy came back 100% donor. In the past, "100% donor" meant "promising" or "a good sign". The marrow also came back "clear". This triple-confirms that the cancer has completely vanished. At 13 months out, it is safe to officially say that the donor marrow has taken and that the transplant is successful.
It's easy to sign up for the bone marrow national registry -- all it takes is a cotton swab on the inside of your mouth. Go here for more details.
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