I just got off a phone call with my daughter, Cassidy. A couple of years ago, the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) presented to the Colorado State University marching band about the bone marrow registry program and took cheek samples of anyone interested. Cassidy signed up for the registry and went along with her life, not giving it a second thought until Friday, April 4th when she got a text message. An adult in the United States has a form of leukemia that requires a bone marrow transplant, and Cassidy was a potential match.
On April 4th Cassidy called me a mix of excitement and nerves. She had talked with a representative about the request and immediately agreed to be a donor. She had no hesitation. She did not care about the person’s race, sexuality, or political views. All she knew was that someone is certain to die without this transplant. While this transplant does not guarantee a long life, it gives recipient the possibility of a second chance at literally life. This goes to our belief in being kind to one another and helping to take care of each other. Nothing about this person’s life matters other than they need a bone marrow transplant to have a shot at life.
For Cassidy, this event puts her life in perspective. She is graduating next month with a master’s degree and looking for a job at a zoo doing research and conservation biology. She has impressed me with her networking and all the supportive people she has met. Unfortunately, no one has a job for her yet. They keep telling her one will come and do not settle. As one can imagine, this is disheartening to a new graduate who is passionate about her field of study. Her job search seems like a momentary inconvenience now. She is humbled and honored by this request.
Last week Cassidy filled out various health questionnaires, had a physical, and did blood work. We learned today that she is the official candidate for the procedure. With two weeks before graduation at a time just before she is supposed to be presenting at her school’s research symposium, she will fly across the country, be put under general anesthesia, have marrow harvested from two spots in her pelvis, and have a two to three week recovery. I will be with her every step of the way.
As a parent, I am so very proud of Cassidy. I guess you could say Doug and I succeeded as parents. We created a genuinely kind human being. Grades, careers, and honors really do not matter if you have not raised a kind human being. When we care about one another, we lift one another up and help make the world a better place. In the grand scheme of things, sexuality, gender, race, and political beliefs do not matter if we do not take care of one another in times of need. Why waste time arguing about these things when in the end, we are all human beings who deserve love and support. Cassidy can teach all of us a lesson about humanity and caring.