Friday, June 10, 2011

Alice's Bucket List

I don't know that this strictly qualifies as "happy" but it certainly is inspirational.  Alice's Bucket List is a blog that has made headlines around the world.  It started on Monday as the bucket list of ambitions for Alice, a 15 year old from England who has just been told that the cancer she has been fighting for 4 years is now terminal.  To her surprise, her blog has gone viral, her first post had 1773 comments and people have donated over £10,000 by sponsoring her sister in a fun run.

Top of her bucket list is getting people to sign up as bone marrow donors.  I did this a few years ago and lots of people were surprised.  I'm more surprised that everyone doesn't do it.  What is to lose?  A little bone marrow that will re-grow.  What is to gain?  The ability to save someone's life.

Her blog is so inspirational.  There is no trace of self-pity just a wish to experience as much as she can in the limited time she has left.  I cried reading it, but I highly recommend it.

And everyone, if you can, sign on to become a bone marrow donor.  To do it, next time you donate blood (hee, hee, double shot I'm getting you to donate blood too) let them know in advance that you want to do it.  All you have to do is fill in some paperwork and they will take a couple of extra blood samples.  Then you are on the register and if by a slim chance you match someone needing a donation, you will be contacted.  Go on, how often do you get to save a life?

1 comment:

  1. Great post.

    I read this today and have signed up for blood donation next month. I am going to sign up for bone marrow too.

    She seems like such a great girl.

    ReplyDelete