Be A Hero Become A Donor Wristbands are Here!!

Things are coming together for the Foundation, including our new wristbands. On the outside it reads "Be A Hero" recycle logo "Become A Donor" recycle logo. On the inside, "Inspired by Evan Cousineau's Jounrey" "BAHBAD.Org". Super cool, Evan would have loved them.

Gabi Hosts Marrow Drive at Cal

Today was the Marrow Drive I have been waiting for all semester. Like I told Gina, it went well, but I wish I could have been able to target specific organizations or teams to sponsor the drive and get the word out. I feel it would have been a lot more effective, but I learned for next time. Other than that it went well and it was definitely worth every minute and all the work that everyone helped put in.
I spent the last few months trying to organize announcements, forming emails and sending these out multiple times before the drive. I realize these days people are busy, time is valuable so I cherish those that took the 15 minutes to actually come in and help “save lives in honor of Evan.” I was really excited to see the few people that came in off the street just from seeing the signs I had posted in front of the building!
I wish I would have been able to get more people to join the registry (only had 20) but I understand this is my first time doing it and no matter what every little bit helps. Cynthia from NBMR even told me leaving today, “someone will be a match from today.” This made my heart smile! Even though this person might not end up being a donor, the fact that they could potentially save a life is a wonderful feeling.
I really want to thank Gina for encouraging everyone to run a drive. It is really beneficial, not only for all of the new registries we get but for yourself, knowing that YOU are helping to save lives.
One thing that really irritated me throughout this whole process is that most people are so uneducated about the NBMR. Everyone has misconceptions that are stopping them from joining the registry. Every time I would make an announcement, people would look at my like, are you crazy, “I’m not giving my marrow, I’m not having surgery.” Some don’t even understand that joining is just a swap of the mouth. And then when you tell them this, they are still hesitant because of the process in the future if they are called. The thing they don’t realize is that they are saving a life. It irritates me so much because all I can think about are the people in my life that have died, and Evan, whom I am doing this all for.
It makes me angry and want to say to them, “Your selfish and you obviously haven’t had a close death or else you would realize how precious this opportunity is and you would value life a whole hell of a lot more.” Although I refrain from saying something along those lines and just walk away, not wanting to get myself all worked up.
All and all this experience was really amazing, yes hurtful at times when I encountered those that are uneducated about the NBMR, but I would do it again! I am coming home, down to Southern California when school is out in 3 weeks and would love to join the Cousineau’s at all the upcoming events and do whatever I can to help out. This experience was really self rewarding, for myself, because I knew I was doing such a great thing, but even more for those whose lives I hope to save. Gabi April 26, 2008

Ronnie's Life Ministry decided to "give HOPE" by hosting a drive!!

I decided to host a drive because I felt like that was the very least I could do for Gina, for Evan, for Dom, for Mary…. And hopefully for others! How very simple it was. God has big plans for all of us and I just knew that this was something I was supposed to do. I already had a luncheon set up for our group of prayer warriors and the two events just seemed to go hand in hand. Hosting a bone marrow drive gave others a chance to participate in something they may have never had the opportunity to do. Quick, easy and a true blessing! I thank Gina for her hard work and dedication to saving lives in honor of Evan! We are so proud to be a part of your team!
Click here to visit their Website

The Kirt's Girls and friends Host Marrow Drive in Honor of Evan and Princess Caroline!!

View our Slideshow of the event
Visit Rebekah's CB Site

Bone Marrow Recipient Stacey shares her story!!

Click Here to Watch Stacey's Video

Vicki and Friends "Give Hope" with God's Money!!

....I want you to know what an impact Evan has had on me...A couple months ago I was part of a 'Kingdom Assignment' at my church. Our Pastor gave me an envelope with $100 in it and we were told that this was God's money, That we had to do something outside of our church with it and report back to our church what we had done..well after following your family, the Stephens family, the Wagner family, the Lieser family and the Johnson family and many, many more I decided to take 'Gods' money and make blankets for the kids that are in Children's Hospital and the University of Minnesota and I am asking friends and family to help me make more!!! We are also donating hats for the kids too!! I want to tell you that fortunately I have not experienced what life changing events you and all these families have, but that your son Evan, Joel, Levi, Isaac, McKenna and many others is what inspired me to make this my 'assignment'. Your families have touched my heart and I hope by doing this..I am helping in some way! I wanted you to know how Evan impacted someone he has never met!

After starting this project and after choosing which hospitals to send them too, I also learned that my brother was a patient at the U over 40 years ago with Histiocytosis. He is considerably older than me and I was aware of him passing from Histiocytosis but was unaware he was treated at the U also!

We donated 56 blankets and 37 hats, split between the U and Childrens in June '08!

Little Erin wants her family to be like Evan's Family!!

Can you read this little girl's words??
I hope we all get along in this family so we do fun stuff and get stuff done, we have (to) work like a team. We can do this!! I know we can be like Evan's family they all love each other, they help each other and they do fun stuff with each other!
To: Family
Love: Erin V.

Erin wrote this a couple days after your birthday celebration in which we had the honor of attending. Just being around you, your family and friends that day, you could not only feel but see the love that surrounds you. I have always told my kids, to be kind to each other, treat others the way you want to be treated and if you do not have anything nice to say, don't say it. I have used your family as an example many of times with my kids and my husband. The day of your birthday celebration, I'm sure my husband thought I was crazy for driving down to SC to donate blood for someone's birthday, who I hardly knew (I feel I've known you a lifetime). I knew this is what I wanted to do and was going to do it, and I wanted my kids to be a part of it. Because of Evan and your journey, I have learned to do things on Evan's time, love on my kids and husband, not sweat the small stuff, and just enjoy my family and life. You are truly making a difference and giving HOPE to others.