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I read My Sister’s Keeper, by Jodi Picoult, before joining DKMS. In my opinion, the book captures everything so beautifully and in such heart-breaking detail that I already had a picture in my mind. This gripping novel about a young girl, Anna, who ultimately sues her parents for the right to make her own decisions about how her body is used when it is discovered that her older sister, Kate, is in need of a kidney transplant in order to save her life.

"Sure," I said, "I will be happy to register as a marrow donor." It seems like an easy thing to do and, well, if I can save someone's life, all the better. This was my response as a college kid when asked if I would consider being a marrow donor in the late 80s. Honestly, I never thought much about it again and I was never called to help someone. As chance would have it, that decision became much more vivid and real to me when doctors at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston told my husband that his best option after an 8 year battle with an incurable non-Hodgkin's follicular lymphoma was to have a bone marrow transplant. Just the words MARROW TRANSPLANT is enough to make you shudder.

DKMS Americas will be honored as the Charity of the Day on GoodSearch.com and GoodShop.com on Wednesday, June 24, 2009)!!

Remember to use GoodSearch.com, the Yahoo-powered search engine, for all of your web searches and DKMS will receive a donation every time you do a search (don’t forget to designate us as the cause you want to support)!!

"Would you be willing to register as a bone marrow donor?" I ask my friend Chauncey. "Hell no," he says. "There's absolutely no way someone is drillin' into my hip. No way in hell!" "Oh Chauncey, it's nothing like that," I explain.

“One Child's Dream / Driving For Donors was started by 11 year old Leukemia patient Pat Pedraja. Pat found out that so many people with Leukemia and other blood disorders are dying because they can't find bone marrow donor matches in order to get a transplant. There is a critical need for donors (especially minority donors) on the National Marrow Registry and most people don't know how easy it is to join the Registry. Pat set out to raise awareness about the need for marrow donors and started a National Marrow Drive to add 2007 donors to the National Marrow Registry.

Have you ever wondered how to boil the perfect egg? Or, how to tie a tie? Or, how to register and donate your marrow?

"Not a lot of people know that leukemia is the most common disease children die of in the U.S. Most children and young adults can be given a second chance if a match is found. However, only 2 out of 10 patients end up getting the life-saving treatment. I think it's amazing that Pat, who is organizing donor drives with DKMS is being an advocate for bone marrow registration at such a young age, he is such an inspiration."

- Leona Lewis

At this time of year, I often reflect on the year's events, both personal and non-personal, and I always come back to the one thing I am most thankful for, my family. For me personally, this year has been a difficult one.

Yes, there is always someone or some family out there that is also experiencing the same pain and heartache that you are, or even worse but, when bad news hits home it really hurts and is very hard to deal with. But a strong and positive attitude (and faith) is what will help you through.

I am thankful for my family who have always been there to support me and guide me through difficult times, and always around for the happy moments. This year, my mother had melanoma (insitu) and my father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, but after a three week hospital stay and a lot of prayers, there was no sign of cancer. Call it a MIRACLE, because THEY DO HAPPEN.

Knowing that you might lose a parent or someone who you love, you pause and think for a moment about what is really important in life. My family and my health are the most important, because without them/it, I have nothing.

Give thanks for what you have during this holiday season.

We would like to hear what you are thankful for during this season of thanks.

The DKMS Staff wishes YOU and YOUR FAMILIES the Best of Health and a very HAPPY THANKSGIVING.

- Maria

The story below is a beautiful reminder of what matters, especially during this time of year. It was sent to me by a friend of my family, who writes a daily blog.

If you think ONE person can't Make a Difference, think again.

An 11 year-old, terminal, leukemia patient had ONE wish before loosing his fight against this life-threatening blood disease. His wish began a movement to feed the hungry.

Click here to watch what one inspiring young boy did to help those in need.

Michael, recently registered as a bone marrow donor with DKMS. He received news that could change his life.

Hear from Michael, what happened.

"I had just gotten off of work and was walking up the stairs to my apartment when I see an envelope placed in front of my door. When I opened the package to see that I had been considered a match already, it about took my breath away! I thought, it was litereally only 4 months ago since I had signed up. I said to myself, what if I hadn't of signed up? And, the patient needed MY help?