Dear All, The last day for Preparations before the third Steps To-Marrow walk begins tomorrow was a very busy day, lots of people to talk to and lots of walking in-between.
The most important encounter for me was with the Quechan Tribal Council Secretary, Regina Escalanti. I was pleased to learn that they were expecting me and knew about my request to begin the walk on Quechan tribal lands, at the Yuma Health Center, thanks to the preparation work of my friend Pat Healy.
Pat helped our family when Jada was in the fight of her life against Acute Myeoloid Leukemia. He was President of Bikers Fighting Cancer at the time. They helped our family with things like gas money to get to Seattle to be with Jada when she had her bone marrow transplant. If you have experienced a medical crisis and the financial distress that strikes the family along with the heartache and worry for your loved one then you will understand the tremendous gift that acts of loving kindness bring. That’s what Pat and so many others who reached out to help us brought to our family through acts of caring.
So with Pat’s help again I met with Regina. She spoke with members of the Quechan tribal council and they invited me to come to the council meeting on Thursday Jan 30th. So someone will come to pick me up along the road on Wednesday afternoon and bring me back to Winterhaven so I can attend the council meeting. Auspicious beginnings
Tag: bone marrow transplant
Preparations begin in Winterhaven, CA Jan 22, 2020
Dear All,
I walked from Yuma, AZ to Winterhaven, CA I will be making the same walk in reverse on Friday morning when I begin the Steps To-Marrow walk across the Sonoran Desert.
I stopped by the Yuma City Hall and arranged to make a request to Mayor Douglas Nicholls to propose a Stem Cell/Bone Marrow Donor Awareness Day. I also met with Fire Chief Steve Irr. Chief Irr gave me his card and said that if I need help to call him and he will make sure I get help! He also said that he would share the simple but important message about why and how to join Be The Match by texting LIFE to 61474 with the fire fighters this side of Telegraph Pass.
When I arrived in Winterhaven CA I visited Yuma Regional Medical Center. The administrative folks that I needed to see were in meetings off site but I expect to make headway with them later today. I would like permission to start the walk at the medical center. I’d also like to train someone at the center to show others how to join Be The Match using their cell phone, emphasizing the need for diversity. Lastly I would like to find the right person to be in touch with Aubrie Vargas the amazing Be The Match Community Engagement Representative for this area.
The part of the day that really warmed my heart was my search for a safe place to sleep. I had been trying to to reach the right person at the Quechan Casino and Hotel throughout the day, when I learned that I would not be able to stay the sun was already low in the sky. I looked for the nearest fire station and walked over to the Imperial Valley Fire Dept Station 8. They were really great but not able to help either. I asked if there was an RV Park near where I could pitch my tent. One of the firefighters pointed to a line of palm trees in the distance.
So off I went again further from my starting point for the walk with the sun sinking lower and lower. I arrived at Sans End RV Park to find the office closed. I saw some lights on in the game room. When I walked past the window toward the door I could see they were in the middle of Bible study. I apologized for the interruption and explained my situation. Everyone was so warm and welcoming even though I could tell from their initial facial reactions I was a strange sight to behold, with my enormous backpack, standing on their door step. Not only did they welcome me they allowed me to stay in an empty apartment for the next two days until the beginning of the walk!
Here’s to another good nights sleep safe and sound because of the generosity of others.
Yuma, AZ Jan21
Dear All, I left Glendale, AZ this morning on a Greyhound bus and arrived in Yuma at 1:30 this afternoon. I was able to see a small part of my route between Gila Bend and Yuma from the bus window. I have been a bit worried about walking through the Sonoran Desert but having seen parts of it I feel much more comfortable about my ability to successfully and safely complete the third Steps To-Marrow walk.
After arriving in Yuma I began my search for a safe place to stay for the night. As most of my followers know I do not walk with any cash or credit cards rather I rely on the generosity of others for my food and housing every day. After asking for a room at 5 hotels the Fuentes Inn and Suites, 1513 E. 16th St., Yuma, AZ, generosity offered me a room for the night.
No request is futile. I was able to share how important it is to join Be The Match and how to join with everyone I talked with. I suggested that they share the information about joining by texting LIFE to 61474, with employees in the break room or in a newsletter, etc. Even though they were not able to help me with a room all responded enthusiastically about sharing the simple but important details about how to join Be The Match and become a potential bone marrow donor.
Thank you all for your support of the Jada Bascom Foundation’s mission of enrolling stem cell and bone marrow donors to save the lives of patients in need of a bone marrow transplant. Please do share Text LIFE to 61474 with your friends, family and co-workers and be part of our life-saving efforts!
With deep gratitude,
Jeana Moore
Jada Bascom Foundation
StepsToMarrow 