Opportunity to help Kristie Wessel

We reflect on the gift of Jesus during this Easter Season, we remember who we are in Him:

We are "those who have been brought from death to life,"by the grace of God alone.  

New Life at White Creek

As we await the fulfillment of His promises, we suffer together here in this life, and look for ways to love and serve each other by His strength.

More from Romans 6:

Present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. (Romans 6:13)

This verse came to mind as I heard Jeanne speak at church on Sunday.  What an opportunity we have, right now, to help Kristie Wessel through her battle with cancer.

She needs our prayers, our support, and our bodily help. 

Please, prayerfully consider the following opportunities:

Fish fry/silent auction 

Friday April 13^th from 4-8 at Hope Moravian Church. 

Might you be a match for Kristie or someone else in need? 

To get on the donor list, you must be between the ages of 18-60.  

All it takes is a simple cheek swab!

(Please also visit marrow.org for full details.)
*** If you are unable to attend the Fish Fry, you can still sign up ONLINE! Visit the website for details- it is quick and easy and you just might safe a life!)

SEE ALSO "We can give blood with our prayers" at Weak and Loved

Background (By Jeanne Lienhoop)

 Some of you might have heard of John Romine. He was a friend of mine in high school and at Purdue, and he was also the brother-in-law of Jared Rutan. He also fought a very aggressive form of Hodgkin’s lymphoma. In the summer of 2008, he was told he needed a stem cell transplant. The most likely match for most people is one of their siblings, though this is never guaranteed. Neither of John’s sisters were a match, and he had no choice but to wait. While waiting, he and his family put out a plea for people to join the national marrow donor program in the hopes that someone new to the list might be a match for him. Eventually, they did find a match. But it was too late. His cancer had spread and he passed away in December 2008.  He made his family promise to continue doing marrow drives in the hopes that one of these days, no one will have to wait until it’s too late.

Fast forward to the month of March 2012.  Kristie went to the doctor and found out that her Hodgkin’s lymphoma had spread; the next treatment option would most likely be a donor stem cell transplant. I remember talking to Kristie after she found this out. She said she broke down crying in the doctor’s office thinking back to that day in 2008 when she joined the marrow donor program in the hopes of being a match for John. She said she never thought that SHE might be the one to need a donor.  Kristie did not personally know John; she knew of the Romine’s story only thru me. And even though she didn’t know them, she joined the marrow donor program back in 2008 out of pure kindness and generosity. Because she wanted to help someone else get a second chance on life. 

Now, we’re asking you all to give someone that 2^nd chance; and even if it’s not Kristie, then someone else in similar shoes.  As our family’s situation clearly shows, you never know when it might be you or someone you love that’s relying on the kindness and generosity of another person.