LHS hosted an event to register volunteers as bone marrow donors from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on June 2 in the main gym. The event was held in support of secretary Trudy Kulefsky. Kulefsky was diagnosed with leukemia during this year’s annual wellness screening at District 128. Along with undergoing chemotherapy, Kulefsky’s treatment will require a bone marrow transplant for which she is still trying to find a matching donor.
Assistant principal Eric Marosher and school nurse Cam Traut are credited for organizing the event to raise awareness on the importance of becoming a donor and encouraging people to register.
“I think it is important for people to understand that by becoming donors they are giving someone the gift of life, and that is the most important gift someone can give,” Traut said.
Donors must be between the ages of 18-55 and in good health in order to participate. It costs $65 dollars to register, and once registered, donors can be used for any matching patient who needs a bone marrow transplant.
The registration only takes about 15 minutes. It entails filling out some simple paper work, and getting a cheek swabbed.
“People need to understand that it is very difficult to find a matching bone marrow donor,” Traut said.
According the DKMS (an organization that helps patients find matching bone marrow donors), only 4 out of 10 leukemia patients are able to find a matching donor.
“But even if we cannot find a matching donor for Mrs. Kulefsky at this event, donors will still be helping out other patients in need,” Traut said.
Many LHS staff members participated in registering to become bone marrow donors.
“I was absolutely shocked when I heard about Mrs. Kulefsky. I mean, she’s such a healthy and active person. I just know so many people who have been affected. I figure if I can give [bone marrow] to someone who needs it, why not?” English teacher Dyan Flood said.
If people did not feel comfortable signing up to be a donor, they could have also supported the cause by going the Culver’s fundraiser that took place June 1 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Ten percent of the proceeds went to covering the cost of each donor’s registration.
“We actually served the food to the patrons who bought it. It was the fastest two hours of work because I had so much fun. Trudy is a wonderful woman, and I’d do anything I could to help her,” secretary Shelly Stoiber said.
More information about bone marrow transplants and becoming a bone marrow donor can be found at www.dkmsamericas.org.