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Community Corner

Eureka Community to Support Air Force Veteran Saturday in Quest for Bone Marrow Donors

Fundraiser will include barbecue, jewelry sale and auction items -- all in attempt to assist one brave man in his battle with a rare blood disorder.

Organizations and residents from Eureka and the surrounding area are coming together to support retired Air Force Senior Master Sergeant Herbert Ramsey, Jr. as he battles a rare illness.

The 55-year-old Ramsey needs a bone marrow transplant to help him overcome myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a disorder that prevents the body from making normal blood cells.

Ramsey has close ties to Eureka. His sister-in-law, Elaine Terrill, is a member of and has taken the lead in organizing Saturday’s event.

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“Herbert is experiencing constant pain and inflammation due to the disorder,” said his niece, Amanda Orphan. “He is considered to be in the ‘watchful waiting’ phase, which means until a donor is found he is being treated with chemotherapy and transfusions to keep his blood count stable and immune system functioning."

The April 9 benefit will include a bone marrow registry drive for Ramsey at the Eureka-Pacific Elks Lodge, 19 W. 1st Street in Eureka from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Activities include a barbecue, silent auction and jewelry sale. Sponsors include Ridenhour Brothers Printing Inc., GJ Grewe Inc., Shelter Insurance-Eureka, The Current and Mark Antonacci and Gus Markwell Attorneys at Law. More than 100 businesses from throughout the St. Louis area contributed items for the silent auction.

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The only known treatment for a long-term remission from MDS is a bone marrow transplant.  Saturday’s event will include an opportunity to join the "Be the Match" bone marrow registry. Potential donors will be able to give a tissue sample for the registry at the event on Saturday.

“Joining the bone marrow registry is painless, it consists of a simple mouth swab,” Orphan said. “Each new member of the bone marrow registry could be a match for someone whose only option is a bone marrow transplant.”

The registry is free, but the event also will raise funds for the Be the Match foundation, Orphan said. It costs the foundation around $100 to process each sample. If a match is found for Ramsey or anyone else in need, the registry will contact the potential donor for further screening.

For those considering joining the registry, it is important to note that unlike donating blood, those who are pregnant, have recently traveled outside the United States, have certain thyroid problems, or recently have received a tattoo or piercing are eligible to join.

For more information about the event, call 314-852-8810. Learn more about SMSgt Ramsey here, and stop by the Elks Lodge Saturday for food, activities, a chance to bid on valuable items, and most importantly, an opportunity to help.

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