Generous spirit alive and well in the Sauk Valley
Over the years, our region has witnessed many examples of how much people care for their fellow human beings.
Few have been more heartwarming than the overwhelming turnout at a recent bone marrow registry drive on behalf of a Polo teenager diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia.
Cassidy Terry, 16, is the daughter of former Polo City Council member Drew Terry and his wife, Tena. Cassidy, who recently completed her sophomore year at Polo High School, has been undergoing chemotherapy treatments in Chicago. Afterward, she will be ready for a life-saving bone marrow transplant.
Family members offer the best chance for a match, based on human leukocyte antigen tissue typing. Cassidy’s parents and three older siblings were tested, but none matched.
At that point, the community got involved. A bone marrow registry drive was organized by the Northern Illinois Blood Bank. Polo United Methodist Church offered the use of its facilities. Polo Chamber of Commerce utilized its network of contacts to round up volunteers to help.
The hope was that, when the drive took place on a recent Saturday, perhaps between 100 and 150 people would show up, provide information, and have a swab taken inside their cheeks for testing purposes.
Imagine the astonishment of the Terrys and registry organizers when more than 600 people showed up.
“People came from everywhere – Polo, Milledgeville, Oregon, Dixon – just everywhere. It was wonderful,” said Cassidy’s father, Drew. “Hopefully, at least one of them will be a match for someone.”
It would be great if a local donor is found for Cassidy. However, a match may come from the approximate 7 million potential donors who already are on a national marrow registry list. The more people who become part of this list, the better the chance is that leukemia patients everywhere can receive all-important bone marrow transplants.
When a match is confirmed through additional testing, donors are fully informed about the surgical procedure used to remove marrow from their pelvic bone, and of the minor side effects after surgery.
As the Terrys await word regarding a possible match for Cassidy, they remain amazed by the outpouring of help and good will.
“Our prayer as a family is that someone who donated will be able to help someone somewhere, whether it be for Cassidy or a total stranger,” the family wrote in a letter.
A lot of people are rooting for Cassidy Terry. At least 600 of them are ready to go a step further and give something from their own bodies as a means to cure her.
This spirit of generosity speaks mighty well for the people of the Sauk Valley. Our best wishes go out to the Terry family.
