Blog writing has taken a back seat recently, as I am rather busy in real life. We are moving to Scotland soon, my husband will be working in Germany, we are packing up our house and distributing it between his and mine.
We are coming to terms with the fact that he will be living and working in a different country than the children and I, and wondering how we will cope with a long-distance marriage. We are dealing with import, customs, taxes, transferring driving licenses, looking for a new school, a flat for him in Germany.
Such a lot to organise and worry about, and so many seemingly important problems to be solved.
Are they really problems though? And am I getting too caught up in my worries, when the reality is that my life is actually pretty damn good.
I was reminded of this today, when I saw this picture, drawn by an eight year old girl.
Aillidh is eight years old and seriously ill. As ill as a little girl can get. She has Acute Myeloid Leukaemia and is going through her third chemotherapy session.
She desperately needs a bone marrow transplant. Her parents are doing all they can to find a donor for Aillidh, you can follow their search on their Facebook page.
Aillidh is a blend of white Scottish and meztizo – the mix of European and indigenous N. American peoples (Native American/Indian). Her type is VERY hard to match so for this reason it is important that her story is shared throughout Europe and America. It is particularly difficult to find matches for mixed race patients so the more people who sign up to the Anthony Nolan stem cell register (or in US Be The Match website), the better chance of finding a match.
For this reason, I urge EXPAT BLOGGERS to pass this on to their readers and to their friends. Mixed marriages are very common in expat circles, so there may be a higher chance of finding a match.
Some worry about signing up to the register, as the procedure is said to be very painful. I know I thought that, but was reassured by this
Myth: Donating blood stem cells is painful.
Reality: People who have donated via the bone marrow method compared the after-effects to a hard game of football. Many donors find the experience fulfilling and for some, it’s life-changing.
Donation can be done via surgery or a simple blood transfusion – the doctor of the recipient advises on this, but the final decision is made by the donor.
Today, I took a break from packing to make a cup of tea and write this blog post. To remind myself that in a couple of weeks we will be unpacking boxes in our new place, and that we are incredibly lucky that our “problems” are so trivial. We have each other, we have healthy children, supportive families and friends, a steady income, and so much to be thankful for.
I ask you to do the same. Sit down and count your blessings.
If you are on Facebook, please <like> Aillidh’s page and pass it on to your friends. If you are on Twitter, pass it on. Email your friends and family, particularly those in the US and ask them to pass the FB page on. The more people sign up as a potential donor, the higher the chance is of finding a match.
For Aillidh or for one of the other Leukaemia sufferers around the world.
Several bloggers have asked how they can help. The best way to help is to get the word out that there is a little girl in Scotland who needs as many people as possible to sign up with the Anthony Nolan Trust. For this reason, I am adding a blog hop to this post. Grab the code below, write a post about Counting Your Blessings, link up and let the world know about Aillidh. The more people write, the more people we can reach.
Bloggers – Counting My Blessings – What are you thankful for?
22 Responses to Counting My Blessings
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A non-fluffy, non-pink Bieberless Mag for Pre-Teen Girls
I lost my Mum to Acute Myeloid Leukaemia, when I was 5 and she was 29. They tried to find a donor, but alas, it was not to be.
I truly hope, with all my heart, that this little girl finds that bone marrow she so desperately needs.
x
Sorry to hear about your Mum, it is such a horrible disease. Thanks for helping pass this on to others.
That is heartbreaking.lets hope someone somewhere can help. I will be retweeting your tweet.
Thanks, Mumofalltrades. It really touched me. I have a 9yo and she draws similar pictures.
Thanks for sharing this. So heartbreaking – really hope a donor is found soon. And thanks for reminding me that my problems are nothing really. I’ve blogged about it (linking to you) and will RT.
[...] picture inspired this post at Salt and Carmel, the Twitter Tag #makemebetter, and this Blog [...]
Great idea on the blog hop, am linking my post here since I can’t paste the code: http://lowimpactparenting.wordpress.com/2012/02/06/taking-the-time-to-count-my-blessings/
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You reminded me that I have sample kit from Anthony Nolan Trust at home that I need to finalise and send off…
Glad to have jogged your memory.
I’ve been following little Ailidh’s story (and that of another sick Scottish girl called Vanessa Riddle who is trying to raise £500,000 to get treatment for cancer in the US because there are no relapse protocols here in the UK) on Facebook. It is because of these brave little girls that I am waiting on my registration things to sign up for the Anthony Nolan register – all they need is my spit. If I’m ever needed, I’ll remind myself that however uncomfortable the procedure is for me, it’s not a patch on what they go through every day.
Your blog hop is a lovely idea.
I hadn’t heard of Vanessa, but I hope that her parents are able to find a cure for her.
its when you read about children like this it makes me grateful for what my grandson has not got, rather than what he has got
Oh, that is a very good point.
Let’s hope this gets to the right person who can help. Have retweeted and added my post to the linky.
Thanks for joining in, Emma. Great post.
MmeLindor, I wanted to let you know you have been nominated for a Liebster Blog Award. If you visit my blog, you will see the reasons I chose you.
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[...] can join in Salt & Caramel’s Blog Hop about [...]
Thank you for this. My heart goes out to the little girl and her family. I’ve been following her story and that of Vanessa Riddle (who is now 75% of the way through raising £500,000 to get to America for the treatment she so badly needs). I’ve signed up for the Anthony Nolan register, given blood and now I’ve written a blog which I’ve linked above. I pray that one day soon she finds the help she needs.
Lol, sorry. I knew I’d found this post days ago but couldn’t remember where I’d seen it. I randomly stumbled across it again so finally wrote the post. I hadn’t realised I’d also posted an almost identical comment at the time. Just ignore me!
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