A Request for Blood for a Wilton Woman

I'm writing to you on behalf of Maxine Braten, a Wilton resident. Many of your readers may be familiar with and her search for a bone marrow donor, as it has been featured several times on your website.

Maxine received a peripheral stem cell transfer at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital in Manhattan a week and a half ago. Her recovery is going as expected so far, but it is a very long road. The Wilton community has been so overwhelmingly supportive of Maxine and her family. They are eternally grateful.  

We must again ask for their help, though. Maxine requires transfusions of both whole blood and platelets as part of her treatment. Donations of this type must be made in the donor room at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital. All blood types are needed, as platelet transfusions are not type specific. Donations will be needed on an ongoing basis, as platelet donations can only be preserved for five days, two of which are used for testing.  

If anyone is interested in donating blood or platelets, further information about donor eligibility requirements can be found at http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/11698.cfm. Appointments must be scheduled to make a directed donation, and are available at convenient times, including evenings and weekends.

Just like giving blood at a blood drive, this action only takes an hour or two of time, yet is helping to save a life. For answers to further questions, or to schedule an appointment please contact Joe Licata, 212-639-8177, Manager, Blood Donor Program, licataj@mskcc.org.

Maxine truly believes that the outpouring of support from family, friends and community is greatly contributing to the success she is having with her treatments. If you can spare an hour or two, please help this Wilton mom.

Sincerely,

Shira Friedman

Easton, CT