HOW YOU CAN HELP
Indeed, this is a painful experience for everyone that knows Darla and her family. Her passing affects each in a unique way. If you are wandering how you can express your grieving and pain, we have some ideas.
1. Contribute to Leukemia Research
Darla was very interested and invested in the prevention and treatment of leukemia. She demonstrated her interest in leukemia research by participating in a case study, which required additional tests and examinations. To honor Darla’s interests, the Pyles family set up an account with the City of Hope Research Foundation. All donations made in Darla Pyles’ name will be used specifically for leukemia research. Currently the City of Hope is working on six leukemia related research projects. Their research goals are:
1. To improve the long-term, disease-free survival of patients with leukemia undergoing bone marrow transplantation.
2. To use novel interventions for genetic manipulation of leukemia cells, radioimmunotherapy, antigen specific T-cell immunotherapy and peptide immunizations to accomplish these goals.
3. To develop clinical trials that can be tested in larger patient populations or in comparative trials in the cooperative group setting.
If you would like to donate to leukemia research in Darla’s name, please send your contribution to:
City of Hope Foundation
6245 North 24th Parkway, Suite 110
Phoenix, AZ 85016
Your donation must be in check form with Darla Pyles’ name in the check memo. The City of Hope will mail a confirmation of your donation for your records as well as a thank you letter for your contributions. The Pyles family will be notified of your contribution.
2. Join the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP)
Darla’s fight with leukemia required two bone marrow transplants. Darla is among thirty percent of all patients needing a bone marrow transplant to find a suitable donor in her family—her brother. The other seventy percent of patients rely on unrelated volunteer donors registered with the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP). Only 60 percent of these patients will find a suitable donor in the National Marrow Donor Program. Quite simply, more donors are needed to treat existing and future victims of leukemia; especially those with Hispanic and African American heritage.
We request that you become members of the (NMDP). The NMDP is a non-profit organization that facilitates marrow and blood stem cell transplants for patients with leukemia and other life-threatening illnesses. To become a member, please fill out the questionnaire under Donor Information at http://www.marrow.org/, or contact your local chapter of Red Cross. Additional information about donating marrow can be found at http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/CA/00047.html.
3. Educate Yourself and Others about BMT, Stem Cell Research and Leukemia/Lymphoma
Links:
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
The American Cancer Society
Cancer Links
