DeYoung Family Inspired by Evan

Here are the pictures of Lindsey and Kylie(child) who each donated their hair to 'Locks of Love'. Also one of myself for having the pink donor dot; and for being helper with blood/marrow drives and donating to Friends of Scott prom dresses for kids with cancer. Gerry De Young

13-year-old Brooke Commits to "Live and Give"

After water polo one day last summer I had seen Evan's notification in my mail box and went straight to his site as usual. As I read over Gina's words, one sentence stuck out like a huge sore thumb: You can be as young as 13 to join DonateLife!! As soon as I saw those words, I raced to my parents, and asked if I could join. Both of them being donors, they were curious as to why I wanted to follow their example. I explained that if I am involved in a terrible accident that ends my life, there's no point in not sharing my organs. That I could save over 8 people, and that was well worth getting that little dot. That I could give someone a gift of life that could save their life, that not doing this would be a waste. So back to my computer I went, and typed in those boxes as fast as my fingers could, and then bam. I had that magical pink dot that gave me the opportunity to be a hero, and save someone's life. I can easily say that was the best use my time on a computer.

Brian Runs With Evan As His Inspiration

Here are a couple pictures from my race two weeks ago that show my Fight For Evan T-shirt. Though I didn't have a chance to train for the race as I had planned, there was never a question of finishing. Completing the course was such a small thing compared to the courage Evan showed battling his disease and the struggle you and your family faced then and now. I am grateful for the time I was able to spend with Evan and was ready to share his story with any and all who would listen. Brian April 11, 2008

Shelly Inspires Her Company To "Save Lives"

Gina-

I am so glad that you emailed me again. I will attach a copy of the letter that will appear on our company’s intranet sight on September 15th; this will explain why I did what I did. As far as how I did it, it was really rather simple. I contacted Memorial Blood Centers and asked them what they needed from me in order to put together a blood drive. Rachel came to my office and explained how it worked. I talked with several of our customers over the next few weeks to get their feedback and then decided on a date. I sent out fliers about 8 weeks prior to the event. Then I called our local radio station and they ran an ad for free because it was non-profit. I placed posters all over our building and made a whole bunch of reminder phone calls. Since the blood drive I have had several people show interest in donating again as soon as they can. I have been in contact with Rachel and am currently working on another drive, hopefully mid October. I have not been in contact with anyone from nmdp. I would be more then happy to join forces with Kelly and try and put a marrow drive together. Here is the letter I wrote for our pipeline.

Have you ever witnessed something so profound that you are not only moved to tears, but to action as well?

In November of 2007 I had a friend that was severely burned in an electrical fire. We were all able to stay on top of his condition thanks to a Caring Bridge website. Caring Bridge offers free personalized websites that support and connect loved ones during a critical illness, treatment and recovery. It was here that I also first witnessed the journey of the Cousineau family.

Evan Cousineau was diagnosed with ALD or Adrenoleukodystrophy. ALD is a deadly genetic disease that affects 1 in 18,000 people. It most severely affects boys and men. This disease ravages the brain, and the symptoms grow worse, including blindness & deafness, seizures, loss of muscle control and dementia. This relentless downward spiral leads to death or permanent disability usually with in 2-5 years of diagnosis.

Evan received a bone marrow transplant as well as two cord blood transplants in an effort to try and stop this horrible disease from progressing and possibly save his life. Just as you have to find a match for a kidney donation, the same is true of cord blood. (This is blood from an umbilical cord)

On November 2nd, 2007, one day before his 10th birthday, Evan lost his battle.

Through their pain, the Cousineau family has been changing lives one drive at a time. They have been campaigning to "Save lives in honor of Evan". The drives they do are for bone marrow, platelets, organ donation, cord blood and other blood products. If you have a chance please visit Evan's Caring Bridge website @ caringbridge.org. Select visit and type in evancousineau. You can join Evan's entourage and view the family's montage in an effort to save lives. I assure you, you will be moved as well.

This is what led me to the mission behind the blood drive. We teamed it with customer appreciation day due to a strong interest from our customers.

It was a beautiful day and a great event. We had 15 first time donors, with a total of 18 units of blood collected.

If you visit Evan's guestbook and sign, please make sure to let the family know that you are with Ferguson.

I read and re-read Evan’s cb my story and hope that I relayed it properly. I will contact Kelly through Dom’s website. I can’t imagine how incredibly busy you are, so thanks again for keeping in touch. I am still moved by your efforts every day Gina.

Shelly

Give Blood Play Hockey Tourney funds Marrow Donors!!

In October 2007, Mary Quayle, a senior at Mater Dei High School in Orange County CA, decided to "give HOPE" to patients by hosting the first annual "Give Blood Play Hockey" tournament where roller hockey teams could come together to have fun playing in a tourney, while spectators could give blood and raising funds for the local children's hopsital. At this first tourney, they passed the goal can for Evan and raised funds to help pay for Evan's medical expenses. The next year, Evan's mom got it in her head to host a Marrow Drive at the tourney and to ask the GBPH committee to "fund" the drive. Not only did we bring dozens of new members to the registry in October 2008, as well as dozens of pints of blood donations, but the GBPH tournament raised over $25,000 for CHOC and wrote a $5200 check to the Marrow Foundation c/o Evan's Entourage to fund new marrow registrants. All because of one young ladies desire to make a difference in her community. We challenge hockey rinks around the nation to host their own "Give Blood (and Marrow) Play Hockey" tournament and give "HOPE" to patients and families in need".
Click here to go to GBPH website and watch video of this year's event

Evan's Entourage provides fresh fruit weekly to the Twin Cities Ronald McDonald House

AnnWhiting took on the roll organizing our Minneapolis Ronald McDonald House Weekly Fresh Fruit Basket care of Evan's Entourage after I decided that we needed to give back to the Ronald after the care they gave us during Evan's Fight. I could think of nothing that we lacked at the Ronald except for fresh fruit options, so we, the people who care about Evan, have taken on the task of a weekly delivery of fresh fruit for those that are still in the fight. If you would like to join us and live in the Twin Cities area, please email Ann at annwhiting27@yahoo.com

Bridee donated blood because of Evan!!

Hi Gina. I finally got around to donating blood. (I had tried and waited for a while at your birthday celebration, but had to leave). Anyway, I stumbled upon a blood donation at the RSM library yesterday as I was taking the boys to do homework there. I thought, well they could get their homework done while I give blood, perfect! After the questions, etc. I was on the bed... the "rookie" botched my left arm! It hurt so bad that was was scared. I requested that "Annie" ) the woman called upon in an emergency when I was bleeding all over, to do my right arm and get it going. She did great. During this 1 hour process, the boys kept playing with the "emergency bell" at the table for blood donors to ring in an emergency. The staff was getting all mad at them for playing with it, in a nice way, but I kind of felt bad for my boys since it was taking so long! Afterwards, I got up and went over to the "snack" table with the boys. Of course, since I have been dieting, not eating much sugar and weigh 115 right now, I almost passed out! I needed to use the "bell", but was worried that they would get all bent out of shape and think it was my boys again.... I rang it anyway before I passed out and they wisked me over to the bed to lay down. I was a white as a ghost, they said and were worried about me being alone with the boys. I ended up calling Eric to meet me at Wood Ranch, by the library so I didn't have to go far, to make sure I was OK. 2 hours later, we were finally leaving the library, homework done and blood in the bag! My left arm was so sore, I didn't want to go home and handle the twins (2 years old and would have wanted to be held, loved on, etc.) before bed. I waited till last minute to go home just in time to put them to bed. To make a long story short, it was worth every minute and soreness that I went through to honor Evan!!!

love,
Bridee