Rina Fundraising Campaign for Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT)
A wonderful, intelligent Indonesian student needs your help! Rina has been battling Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma for the past year and a half. In spite of her courageous fight, the tumors in her body have been as tough as the fight itself. After four different chemotherapy regimens, a cure still has not been reached and the tumors have recurred.
The next step in treatment is a bone marrow transplant. Unfortunately, because of her student immigration status, she has NOT been able to receive any financial assistance from either the state or federal governments.
The cost of the bone marrow transplant is $100,000. Rina and her family must come up with the funds themselves before the transplant can be provided. Because of the aggressiveness of the tumors, she needs a transplant as soon as possible to increase her chance of survival. She has only a few weeks to reach the full amount required for the transplant.
Rina was a student at Oklahoma State University before cancer interrupted her course work. She is only twenty-one years old.
It is difficult to imagine that such a young, vibrant person might not receive the necessary treatment for her cancer because she is lacking the funds she needs to live! Please support Rina in her struggle by sending your donation as soon as possible.
Rina Fitria BMT Fund
Banc First
PO Box One
Stillwater, OK 74076-0001
~ Rina's Family and Friends
Current Treatment: Under watch and care of Dr. Chris Puckett at Cancer Care of Stillwater, Oklahoma Undergoing EPOCH Treatment four times and counting.
Soon to do a BMT under SCT/BMT Care at OU Medical Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma under Dr. Jennifer Holter
Donations
Attention: Any payments made to CaringBridge.com DO NOT contribute to the Rina Fitria BMT Fund. There are only two ways to make donations:
1. Donate through Paypal
2. Pay by Check to Banc First, PO Box One, Stillwater, OK -
74076-0001
Thank you for your Donation!!!!
Days until the Bone Marrow Transplant: update coming soon...
What is Non Hodgkins Lymphoma
Non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) are a diverse group of cancers which arise from lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. NHL is distinct from Hodgkin lymphoma in its pathologic features, epidemiology, common sites of involvement, clinical behavior, and treatment. The broad category of non-Hodgkin lymphoma encompasses diseases with varying courses, treatments, and prognoses.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is medically classified as a hematological malignancy, meaning that it is a cancer which arises from the blood. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma may develop in any organ associated with the lymphatic system, such as the spleen, lymph nodes, or tonsils. The diagnosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma requires a biopsy of involved tissue. The numerous subtypes of non-Hodgkin lymphoma are typically grouped into three distinct categories based on their aggressiveness. These categories are indolent (or low-grade), aggressive (or intermediate-grade), and highly aggressive (or high-grade). The treatment of indolent or low-grade lymphoma may initially involve a period of observation, while aggressive or highly aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma is typically treated with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. Some forms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma can be cured with chemotherapy, radiation, or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
What is a Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT); Why transplant?
In patients with leukemia, aplastic anemia, and some immune deficiency diseases, the stem cells in the bone marrow malfunction, producing an excessive number of defective or immature blood cells (in the case of leukemia) or low blood cell counts (in the case of aplastic anemia). The immature or defective blood cells interfere with the production of normal blood cells, accumulate in the bloodstream and may invade other tissues.
Large doses of chemotherapy and/or radiation are required to destroy the abnormal stem cells and abnormal blood cells. These therapies, however, not only kill the abnormal cells but can destroy normal cells found in the bone marrow as well. Similarly, aggressive chemotherapy used to treat some lymphomas and other cancers can destroy healthy bone marrow. A bone marrow transplant enables physicians to treat these diseases with aggressive chemotherapy and/or radiation by allowing replacement of the diseased or damaged bone marrow after the chemotherapy/radiation treatment.
While bone marrow transplants do not provide 100 percent assurance that the disease will not recur, a transplant can increase the likelihood of a cure or at least prolong the period of disease-free survival for many patients. It can take as long as a year for the new bone marrow to function normally. Patients are closely monitored during this time to identify any infections or complications that may develop.
For most patients contemplating a bone marrow transplant, the alternative is near-certain death. Despite the fact that the transplant can be a trying experience, most find that the pleasure that comes from being alive and healthy after the transplant is well worth the effort.
Contact
If you have any questions or concerns please contact:
Indonesian Overseas Student Association (IOSA)
Befrika Murdianti
President
060 Campus Life
Student Union
Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078
Email:
befrika.murdianti@okstate.edu
OR
International Students and Scholars
Oklahoma State University
076 Student Union
Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078
Phone: 405 744 5459
Fax: 405 744 8120
Email: regina.henry@okstate.edu
If you would like to send well wishes to Rina you may email her at rina.fitria@gmail.com
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Page Updated 2008-06-13