Hundred for Hunter

The last four years have been full of surprise blessings for our family.  A twin pregnancy.  A random heaven sent email about cord blood curing Chronic Granulomatous Disease.  Successfully banking of billions of Caleb and Clayton's cord blood cells.  Both twins being good enough HLA matches to be a donor for Hunter.  Deciding to go ahead with transplant.  Finding out the final recommendation of the transplant committee at Texas Childrens' and Houston Methodist was that the cord blood amount was marginal for an adult. 

                                  

Then Be the Match came into our lives.  All of the sudden, a new door was opened.  They found a perfect 12 out of 12 unrelated donor match for Hunter, coordinated all the details of our donor's surgery and flying his cells to Houston.  Of course we can't repay what Be the Match has done for us, but I want to do my small part!        

100 days is a big milestone in bone marrow transplant.  If you can survive the first 100 days, your odds for a full recovery drastically improve.  Ours were spent away from our kids, mostly in the hospital, and they were definitely a physical, spiritual, and mental struggle, as you well know.  This year, I'm joining Be the Match in their 100 miles in 100 days campaign.  I am committing to moving myself 100 miles by bike, walking/jogging, or the rowing machine in our garage over the next 100 days.  I've set up a team page to raise funds and awareness for Be the Match.  

100 days from now, I'd like to gather family and friends for a 5 mile neighborhood bike ride/run to celebrate a Hundred for Hunter together.  If our story or Be the Match has touched you and you would like to join us in giving back online (tax free), you can visit our team page for more details at http://www.bethematchfoundation.org/goto/teamhanner  

  

Our 100 day-a happy reunion between father and son!

I know that there is no shortage of great organizations out there to give to.  But you never know when you or someone you love will hear the words "you have cancer" or "you need a bone marrow transplant."  I am thankful for the generosity of others before me that enabled our family to get our happy ever after.  This is pretty far out of my comfort level as I am not a fund raiser.  If you aren't able sponsor me and give, I'd ask that you'd consider joining the registry at Be the Match (it's free), come ride with us for our Hundred for Hunter ride/walk/run, or share our team link with someone else who might be interested.  Whatever is given will be matched, so any amount makes a difference in adding someone to the registry or covering the cost of donors.

And to all my pregnant friends--did you know that you can donate your baby's cord blood to Be The Match for free?  I had no idea until today.  If you are interested in learning how to click here.  Our cord blood certainly changed our lives!  

My partners and I are 4 miles into our 100 mile journey.  Every time I think I'm hot, sore, or tired I will be reminded of all that Hunter has suffered for our family on his way to a lifetime of health and I know it will pale in comparison.  Hunter and I both feel strongly that we should never keep our family's God story to ourselves.  His hand has been so evident on our lives as we've walked along from cord blood to today.  We continually pray for opportunities to share, bless, and give back for others.  We'd love for you to join us on our Hundred for Hunter adventure with your donation, your riding with us, and most importantly your prayers for Hunter's continual healing!