Blood drive to promote bone marrow donations
Kim Herda's battle with cancer began almost a decade ago as she fought against the disease in her abdomen.
During chemotherapy treatments after her 2004 surgery, her platelet count dropped, and a doctor diagnosed her with myelodysplastic syndrome, a form of preleukemia.
Kim now undergoes blood transfusions weekly and is a candidate for a bone marrow transplant through Be The Match Registry, the national registry for bone marrow donors.
For Kim and her husband, Steve, the blood drive and bone marrow screening that will be held July 28 at New Life Presbyterian Church in Harrison City is more than just a search for a bone marrow match for Kim.
They also hope to raise awareness of MDS, as well as inform the community of the importance of bone marrow donations.
Though Kim is grateful for those who wish to help her personally by being tested to register as a bone marrow donor, she said there are many other people out there who are waiting for donations.
"You are agreeing to go into that registry," she said during a telephone interview while recovering in a local hospital from a blood transfusion.
"It's really important that people understand that they could be called upon to donate for a stranger."
The bone marrow donation process is not as scary and demanding as most people think, Steve said.
The donor is attached to two IVs, one taking blood out of the donor's body and filtering it through a machine that removes marrow and necessary parts.
Then, the filtered blood is returned to the donor through the second IV. To be screened, a doctor must swab the donor's mouth with several cotton swabs for testing.
"People are scared to donate because, back in the day, doctors used to stick a needle in the hip to extract the bone marrow," he said.
"Some still do, but most people just have extensive blood work instead."
Kim's struggle also is not the first Steve has faced. His first wife died of breast cancer three years before he met Kim.
Steve's strength throughout his and Kim's journey stems from a drive to move forward and keep their lives as normal as possible.
"She once said, ‘You're not taking this seriously,' and I said, ‘The last thing you need me to do is curl up in the corner and cry. You need me to do things and focus on making sure things get done,'" he said.
The date of the blood drive also holds a special meaning for the couple.
On July 28, 2010, Steve proposed to Kim at Kennywood amusement park.
As they waited in line for a rollercoaster, they discussed the rollercoaster their lives together had become.
Later, on the ride, Steve revealed a ring tied with a ribbon around his finger to keep it from flying away.
Though Kim will not be able to attend the event, she said she hopes the blood drive will encourage people to consider the lifetime commitment of being a bone marrow donor and providing help for those who need the donation.
