PLEASE READ!!! Raising the hopes of a friend with leukemia
Not long ago, a close friend of mine, Michael Heneghan, was diagnosed with leukemia. To my father, he's like a son and to my brother and I, he's like a big brother. He's only 28 years old, just got married last summer, before the diagnosis, and had high hopes of becoming a police officer, starting a family, living his dreams. Then one day he realized that his persistent cold was getting worse and he was bruising far too easily.
His family, my family, friends from work, everyone who knew him got tested to see if their marrow was a match all in the hopes to help him. Weeks passed with no word of whether or not anyone was a match. Then, only a few days ago, I learned that they had found him a match but a very poor one and the only one. Because of the quality of the match, he now only has a 50% chance of survival.
Now Im working on a large project for him. Back before the diagnosis, he asked me if I could do a painting on a pair of old saw blades for him. I happily agreed, but it was easily forgotten in the daily rush. Every time I saw him, we both would go "oh yeah" and he would say he's bring the blades next time next time next time. Now, finally I am in possession of these wonderful antique saws and am on a mission to get them painted before he goes in for surgery which is only about a month away. Im pouring my heart and soul into this in the hopes that it will make him happy enough to raise his spirits to help get him through his recovery.
****So heres where you come in****...inspired by the kindness of a complete stranger who offered to send a care package to cheer him up, I am now asking for the help of others. Be it a card or a simple doodle...anything will help to put a smile on his face and brighten his day.
If you can find the kindness in your heart, send me a note and Ill give you Mikey's address. Just make sure that in the letter/card/package that you mention that you know me, Amanda Caroselli. I dont want the poor guy getting freaked out by any unknown mail coming from unknown people. Oh, and he loves all things Maine and wildlife, like moose and black bears...
Even if its only one or two people that respond to this, every little hope and prayer helps.
His family, my family, friends from work, everyone who knew him got tested to see if their marrow was a match all in the hopes to help him. Weeks passed with no word of whether or not anyone was a match. Then, only a few days ago, I learned that they had found him a match but a very poor one and the only one. Because of the quality of the match, he now only has a 50% chance of survival.
Now Im working on a large project for him. Back before the diagnosis, he asked me if I could do a painting on a pair of old saw blades for him. I happily agreed, but it was easily forgotten in the daily rush. Every time I saw him, we both would go "oh yeah" and he would say he's bring the blades next time next time next time. Now, finally I am in possession of these wonderful antique saws and am on a mission to get them painted before he goes in for surgery which is only about a month away. Im pouring my heart and soul into this in the hopes that it will make him happy enough to raise his spirits to help get him through his recovery.
****So heres where you come in****...inspired by the kindness of a complete stranger who offered to send a care package to cheer him up, I am now asking for the help of others. Be it a card or a simple doodle...anything will help to put a smile on his face and brighten his day.
If you can find the kindness in your heart, send me a note and Ill give you Mikey's address. Just make sure that in the letter/card/package that you mention that you know me, Amanda Caroselli. I dont want the poor guy getting freaked out by any unknown mail coming from unknown people. Oh, and he loves all things Maine and wildlife, like moose and black bears...
Even if its only one or two people that respond to this, every little hope and prayer helps.