BonnerSprings.com

Three families bound by a common cause have joined in an effort to pay back the medical community that has done so much for them.

Two Bonner Springs families, the Gilberts and Chadwicks, along with the Trent family of Lawrence, will host a community blood drive from 2 to 7:30 p.m., Dec. 28 at the Bonner Springs Community Center.

Matt Gilbert, 27, Kyle Chadwick, 7, and Alex Trent, 5, have all been diagnosed with Leukemia. The three are all currently in remission, but have undergone numerous blood transfusions over the past months. Family members say they organized the blood drive as a way of giving something back.

A community blood drive to benefit Matt Gilbert, 27, Kyle Chadwick, 7, and Alex Trent, 5, all of whom have been diagnosed with Leukemia, will be at the Bonner Springs Community Center on Dec. 28.

"There's no charge for the blood when a transfusion is needed," Kyle's mother, Sheryl Chadwick, said. "So this is a way of paying them back a little, so the blood will be there when another person needs it."

Kyle was diagnosed with Leukemia on June 19 of this year. The youngster has undergone weekly chemotherapy treatments since then. The treatments deplete the blood, leaving the patient tired and weak and making blood transfusions necessary.

Alex's parents, Danny and Dawn Trent, also remember the date their son was diagnosed with Leukemia.

"That's a date you don't forget," Dawn said. "It was Nov. 3, 1999."

Alex is further along in his remission than Kyle and has entered what doctors call the maintenance phase, Sheryl explained.

"He takes regular medications and has monthly doctor visits," she said. "There's typically a three-year maintenance phase."

Matt's case is a little different than the boys' because he was diagnosed with Leukemia as an adult.

"It's a whole different thing for adults," he said. "I have to undergo daily chemotherapy for now and I go twice a week for transfusions. And, I'll have to go (for regular doctor visits) for the rest of my life."

The father of three learned just two months ago he had the disease usually found in children.

"I was diagnosed on Oct. 13. It was Friday the 13th," he said. "I was real sore across my chest. I thought I had pulled a muscle. And I was real tired. I went to the doctor and once I was diagnosed, they immediately started the treatments."

Because Matt, Kyle and Alex are in remission, they will not likely need a bone marrow transplant. Remission means there are less than five percent leukemic blood cells present," Danny Trent explained.

If any of the three were to come out of remission, however, a bone marrow transplant would likely be necessary.

Getting a bone marrow transplant is a bit more complicated than receiving a blood transfusion, Sheryl Chadwick explained.

"You have to find a donor who matches," she said. "And even within the family, it's not always easy to do."

According to the Heart of America Bone Marrow Registry, marrow is found in the cavities of the bones. It is a substance resembling blood that produces blood components, including red blood cells, platelets and white blood cells, the main agents of the body's immune system.

The registry has 4,122,187 potential donors on record, yet many people in need have yet to find a match. For that reason, the families decided to make the blood drive a bone marrow drive as well.

They are asking donors to have an extra vile of blood drawn so their blood can be tested and the information entered into the registry. The process usually costs donors close to $75, but thanks to a discount by the testers and corporate sponsorship, there will be no charge on the 28th.

Once added to the international registery, potential donors could be contacted if they match someone in need. The names stay on the register until the potential donor reaches the age of 60.

Although the blood collected at the drive won't likely go to the Matt, Kyle or Alex directly, Sheryl Chadwick said a donation would help their cause.

"All those people who asked what they could do, they can do this," she said.

To ensue no one has to wait too long at the blood drive, organizers ask those wishing to donate blood or be tested for bone marrow type to call Sheryl Chadwick at 441-3632 to schedule a time.