David Stroud has been fighting Hodgkin's Disease for most of his young life.  He has won a couple battles but the war rages on.  Please take a moment to read this letter from his parents and learnd how you can help David.

Dear Friends and Family,

We’re writing to you again to keep you up to date on how our boy, David, is doing.  Our family last communicated with you right after David was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s for the 3rd time in February 2010.  Over the last 3 months, he has gone through 3 rounds of chemotherapy so the doctors could determine whether his body was still responding to treatment.  We are thrilled to report that he had an incredible response to this regimen.

 Because of this great response, we are preparing for another bone marrow transplant.  While David already went through one last summer, this transplant will be very different.  Last time David received very high concentrated doses of chemotherapy and then a transplant with his own marrow to replenish his cell-making capabilities, which they knew would be very damaged by the intensity of chemo.  On July 13, 2010, David will receive a donor bone marrow transplant.  This transplant will be with marrow from his sister, Rachel.  Rachel and David are a perfect match for blood and marrow matching compatibility. Praise God!  Because of this, the high chance of rejection complications is reduced.  The rationale for it is that Rachel’s immune system would build in David and then itself fight off the remaining Hodgkin's Disease.  However, this is still a very risky procedure.  While the perfect match is crucial to the situation, this process still carries a high risk of a disease called Graph vs. Host Disease (GVHD), where the marrow from the donor begins to attack the healthy cells and organs of the acceptor.  Because of some past complications, there is a large chance that David will contract some level of GVHD.

 Therefore, we are once again calling for your help and prayer.  David will again need lots of blood and platelet donations for this process.  We know many of you students are home for the summer.  If you have any friends that would be willing to donate blood with you, WE NEED IT!  If you are able to donate, remember blood lasts 3 weeks and platelets last 5 days.  We will need lots of both. To make an appointment you can call the Donor Center at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles at 323.361.2380 and don’t forget to tell them you’re coming to give for David Stroud.
We’ll attach the Donor Information Sheet for further details in another note to you. 
 
 David also really needs your personal support and prayer through this process.  Being stuck in a hospital room, smaller than your bedroom for months at a time, can make you feel very alone.  He needs to be reminded that you’re still thinking about him.  Dave checks his email dunkinD023@hotmail.com often these days.  So, if you think about it, shoot him an email or a text for those of you who have his number, or send a Facebook message.  Let’s flood David’s communication lines with encouragement from the people who love him and, in turn, give him reason to keep fighting this battle with courage.

 Lastly, David desperately needs your prayers.  Pray that the Lord will direct Rachel’s marrow as it begins to graft into David’s body and that the process would be quick and smooth.  Pray that as David begins to build a new immune system, it would remain under control enough to protect his organs, but be robust enough to eradicate the remaining Hodgkin's cells.  Finally, pray that David’s will to fight and live would be sustained through this painful, risky procedure.  We believe in the power of God and the power of prayer, and we are so thankful for the incredible nurses and doctors the Lord has blessed us with.  We also ask that you would pray for wisdom for them as David continues to be one of the most complicated patients they have treated.  True to form, David always keeps things exciting 

 The support you provide us with is invaluable. We love you all and are incredibly thankful for you through this process.

~The Strouds 

To Donate Blood and/or Platelets for David Stroud

Contact Raul (323.361.2380) or George (323.361.2370) in the Donor Center at
Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles to set an appointment. 
It is important to tell him that you will be donating directly for David Stroud.
• Raul and George will schedule the donors for David Stroud, trying to pace the donations according to what David needs.
• Appointments can be scheduled between 7:30 and 2:30 pm, Tuesday through Saturday.

Children's Hospital of Los Angeles
4650 Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(near Los Feliz)
General number for Donor Center:  323.361.2441
 
Information About Donating:

To donate blood:
• You must be type O+ or O-
• The lifespan of blood is 3 weeks.
• Make sure you eat something before you go and have ID with you. 
• You will have to answer 48 yes/no questions. 
• They'll take your blood pressure, temperature, and iron level. 
• You will be ok to drive home when you're done.

To donate platelets:
• A person with ANY blood type can donate Platelets.
• You must be a legal resident in good general health with no tattoos in the past year.
• You must be 17 years of age or older and weigh 110 lb. or more.
• It takes about 2 hours, and you will have a movie to watch.
• Platelets can be donated every 3 days by one person (platelets’ lifespan is 5 days.)

To donate both blood and platelets:
• People who donate blood can also donate platelets at the same time, if they wish.
• If both blood and platelets are donated, the donor can donate only platelets again after 14 days have passed.
• They cannot donate blood again for 56 days (8 weeks).

Parking:
• Upon arrival, park in the underground parking.  The Blood Donation Center will pay for your parking.
• Mention that you are there to donate blood for David Stroud.

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The Stroud family can tell which blood and platelets have been donated specifically for David. 
It is an encouragement to the family when they see him receiving blood or platelets given especially for him. 

They appreciate your prayers, as well as your willingness to donate for David. 

Thank you, and may God bless you.