LearnJazzPiano.com archives: Michael Brecker, with cancer HELP!!!
MoJazz -- 08/10/2005, 11:25:54 -- #17470
I got news from a posting at the Harmony Central forum that sax giant Michael Brecker needs help in finding a bone marrow donor match ASAP. He "has been diagnosed with MDS (myelodysplastic syndrome), and its critical that he undergoes a stem cell transplant" according to his wife. Please go to the link below for more info.

PS - my apologies if this thread is not piano/keyboard related. However, I'm sure there are a few Brecker fans here who want to know about this  and may possible help him.

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?s=1470acdf29ce6ad99a1539b473fcd583&threadid=1002455

Scot -- 08/10/2005, 11:40:37 -- #17472
It's very appropriate to post this... I got a message from Jamey Aebersold last week about this.  Brecker's ethnic background is a bit tricky so if anyone feels like they are of Eastern European Ashkenasi Jewish descent, be SURE to get involved!

Here is the entire message with all the details:

>FROM: Susan Brecker
>SUBJECT: Michael Brecker needs your help.
>
>
>Dear Family and Friends,
>
>My husband, Michael Brecker, has been diagnosed with MDS  
>(myelodysplastic syndrome), and its critical that he undergoes a stem
>cell transplant. The initial search for a donor (including Michael's
>siblings and children) has not yet resulted in a suitable match.
>Michael's doctors have told us that we need to immediately explore ALL
>possible options. This involves getting as many people of a similar
>genetic background to be tested.
>
>There are some important points to understand concerning this process:
>
>1. The screening involves a blood test only. It can be done very
>quickly either at a marrow donation center or at a LOCAL LAB. The cost
>is anywhere from $40 to $75 and your insurance may cover it. (In NYC,
>you can call Frazier, at the NY Blood Bank, at 212-570-3441, and make
>an appointment for HLA typing. It costs $40.00.) Check with your
>local blood bank, or go to http://www.marrow.org to find the donor
>center nearest you.
>
>2. Your blood typing information can be posted on the international
>registry, if you choose, where it would also be available to others in
>need of a transplant. BEING ON THE REGISTRY DOESN'T MEAN YOU HAVE TO
>DONATE, it just means that you may be ASKED to do so. You can take your
>name off the registry at any time.
>
>3. Should you be selected as a potential donor for Michael, please
>understand that there have been tremendous advances in bone marrow
>transplants and the term itself can be misleading. Bone marrow
>donation is no more invasive than giving blood. Stem cells are simply
>harvested from your blood and then transplanted to Michael.>

>4. A match for Michael would be most likely to come from those of Eastern
>European Ashkenasi Jewish descent. If you or anyone you know are in this category
>please make a special effort to immediately get tested. Ultimately, you
>would be doing something not just for Michael, but for so many more who
>are in a similar situation as my husband.
>
>5. You are now part of our internet-based drive for donor testing. If
>everyone who receives  this can motivate a bunch of their friends to get
>tested, and those friends then forward this email to get their friends
>to get tested, we will have rapidly expanded the pool of potential
>donors. I urge all of you to get tested AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
>
>Any local blood center/Red Cross center can assist in organizing a
>drive for Michael, although it would be desirable if you can get a
>large group, e.g. a synagogue, to sponsor it. Should you have any
>questions about this, please don't hesitate to get in touch with
>Michael's management office at 212.302.9200 or info@michaelbrecker.com.
>
>Thank you so much for your love and support.
>
>We are so grateful.
>
>Susan xo

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