Reader thankful for support of her community

To the editor:

There are so many reasons I am thankful to live in the Mat-Su Valley. I have called the Valley home since 1983 and I appreciate the beauty here so much. But what I appreciate the most, is the heart of the people right here in Mat-Su. We must have the most giving and compassionate people in the world right here in our backyards. In 1997, our son Logan Joseph Marre, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. Immediately, Valley residents rallied around us and helped us by holding fundraisers, sending Logan cards and gifts, offering emotional support, and holding bone marrow drives to help find a match for him when he needed a bone marrow transplant. When Logan died after complications from transplant, we were offered continued support. I love it when people tell me how much Logan impacted their lives and it’s wonderful to know he is still remembered.

On October 11, 2014 I was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia while on vacation. The residents of the Mat-Su Valley stepped up again to support our family. Fundraisers were held, gifts, cards, and prayers were sent and multiple bone marrow drives were held. Many State of Alaska employees donated leave so I could stay on my health insurance. My co-workers at the Department of Corrections covered my caseload without question for many months. I missed home so badly and you were there to remind me that home would be waiting for me when I returned. Once again the support the residents of the Mat-Su Valley comforted us and helped us get through this last year and a half.

I am thirteen months post-transplant and am doing well. Unfortunately I contracted pneumonia, RSV, and Corona Virus in March, which set me back and my doctors refused to allow me to return to the job I loved. Everyday I try and build up my strength and stamina in hopes of returning to work. My job meant so much to me and I truly loved what I did. But most of all, I am just grateful to be alive and back here at home.

When you hear about someone who was diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, please reach out to them to support them. I am here to tell you it means so much to the patient and their family. Having the communication helps with the loneliness. We were out of state for much of my treatment and it was so hard to be away from our beloved Valley. There are simply no words to express my gratitude to all of you for your support. We spent over $42,000 out of pocket last year for costs related to my care. Insurance would not cover many expenses including housing, flights, and food. I don’t know what we would have done without the fundraising from our Valley friends. There are many in our community who also need help and we are trying to give back by helping them as we were helped.

Interestingly enough, with over 12 million on the National Bone Marrow Registry, not one single person matched either Logan or me. We both received unrelated umbilical cord transplants. Unfortunately, Alaska does not currently offer mothers an opportunity to donate their baby’s umbilical cord after birth.

I am alive today because someone in France donated her baby boy’s cord. One of my goals is to make this opportunity available to Alaskan parents. I am pleased to tell you that several people who registered with the NMDP in Logan’s memory and my honor have successfully donated bone marrow to sick patients. So even though Logan and I did not find a match, lives were saved because someone cared enough to register with the National Bone Marrow Registry.

Today I ask you to make a difference in the life of a Valley resident. If you hear of a family in need, reach out and help them. You will be blessed just as much as them. Sometimes it’s just taking a meal to someone or calling to ask how they are doing. Sometimes it may be attending a fundraiser to help with their expenses or sharing their story with others. Donate blood, register for the National Bone Marrow Registry, take gently used clothing or household goods to a fire victim, donate food to the Food Bank, or volunteer in the community in an area that personally touches your heart. It feels so good to give back to our community. Together we can make a difference. We Mat-Su Valley residents are family and we truly care about one another.

As for me, I plan to stay alive and volunteer in our community. I try and keep myself busy everyday and I appreciate living more than you can imagine. I share my experienced in my blog: www.killingleuk.com in hopes of helping others cope during difficult times. We are here to support each other and Mat-Su Valley residents, you ROCK!

Kelly Marre

Wasilla