Pikuach Nefesh -- help save a life

In Jewish tradition, pikuach nefesh - saving a life - is a paramount principle and an obligation, overriding virtually all else. This weekend, our community has the opportunity to perform a mitzvah which has the potential to save the life of a special young woman in the North Peninsula community. Julie Friedman, a single, stay-at-home mom of two little boys, was recently diagnosed with Leukemia and needs a bone marrow transplant. Our community has mobilized to spread the word about a Marrow Donor Drive, taking place in San Mateo this Friday and Saturday. I hope you will join us. Below is a personal message from Julie: please share her message with family and friends to help her find a potential match. Additional details are available on the linked flyer: www.pjcc.org/dnld/POSTER-BoneMarrow.pdf Thank you for your support, Roxanne Cohen Director, North Peninsula Region

Dear Friends and Family~ As many of you might know, I have been fighting Leukemia since November 2008. It was discovered unexpectedly during routine blood work for gallbladder surgery. Since being diagnosed, I have had two month-long stays in Stanford hospital for chemotherapy treatment, plus two rounds of outpatient chemo. During my treatments, my doctors discovered that my only cure will come in the form of a bone marrow transplant. Unfortunately, neither of my sisters are a transplant match, so we have turned to the National Bone Marrow Donor Registry. However, there have been roadblocks in locating a match since my blood has some very uncommon traits. The best way to find a potential match is to register as many people as possible on the National Bone Marrow Donor Registry. Next weekend there will be a bone marrow drive held for me. This is a very quick and easy way to add more people between the ages 18 – 60 to the Registry. All you have to do is:

1. Fill out a form
2. Get the inside of your cheek swabbed.

And that’s it - it’s easy, quick and painless!

The dear friends who have been working tirelessly to arrange this drive are also in need of volunteers to help during the drive. If you have some free time on either Friday 4/24 or Saturday 4/25, please email Karen Li to learn how you can help. If you are unable to attend the drive, you can also participate online. All you have to do is:

1. Visit www.bethematch.org
2. Click "join"
3. Click "JOIN NOW"
4. Enter the promo code: just4julie

Please feel free to distribute this information as far and wide as you see fit. The more people who know about the drive, the more people we will get on the Registry. Thank you to everyone for your love, support and help. With love and gratitude, Julie