True Blood Trouble: Match Shannon

We live our lives at work or on computers. We wash dishes or walk our dogs. Some financially fortunate folks take trips around the world. No matter who you are or what you do, on July 23^rd you can take advantage of a rare life opportunity.

Save a young girl's life. Match Shannon. Solve her true blood trouble.

Check your schedule. Anything more important than "Be a life saver" this Friday?

Who's life would you be saving? What is true blood trouble? Shannon tells us in her own words:

"Hi my name is Shannon Tavarez. I'm 11-years old and I'm from Queens. I am going into the 6th grade. I enjoy acting, singing, dancing, playing Wii and watching "Glee." I have already performed on Broadway in Disney's The Lion King.

In April 2010, I was diagnosed with AML. That stands for acute myelogenous leukemia, a cancer of the myeloid line of blood cells characterized by the rapid growth of abnormal white blood cells that accumulate in the bone marrow and interfere with the production of normal blood cells.

So... I need your help!" (Match Shannon)

So, you see, Shannon has true blood trouble. This is not a TV show; this is real life. Though young Shannon may have true blood trouble, someone may be able to save her. Could it be you?

It's easy to find out. As Shannon's website reads, "One Swab Does The Job." The test to discover if you may solve Shannon's true blood trouble is a swab of the inside of your cheek. It doesn't get any easier than that!

"What if I do match Shannon? What then?" you wonder.

Please visit the DKMS website (see links) to discover if you are eligible to become a bone marrow donor and for information about the donation process. "DKMS is the largest bone marrow donor center in the world with over 2 million registered donors," according to its website.

An amazing 11-year-old girl named Shannon has true blood trouble. She has cried out to the world, "So...I need your help!" So, we need to listen for one day we may cry out. It may not be true blood trouble; it may be some other trouble. And we sure as hell will want people to listen then.

This is a rare opportunity. Whoever solves Shannon's true blood trouble will be a true-life hero. Everyone who takes a swab at matching Shannon is an exceptional human being.

Be exceptional this Friday:

Match Shannon Bone Marrow Donor Drive

at the Minskoff Theatre, home of Disney's THE LION KING!

200 W. 45th Street NY, NY

July 23, 2010 10AM-3PM

Remember when you were 11 years old? You went to (blank) school. You had a crush on (blank). I remember. We're fortunate to be able to sit and reminisce. Let's tackle Shannon's true blood trouble, so she may do the same.