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MAR 2, 2007
Fort Worth, Texas

I want to thank you for last evening's presentation at the Gaylord.  I do not think it was by accident that I attended.  The Gynocologist I work for (Omega/Arlington, Texas) is no longer doing OB.   I had told my husband that I would only attend as a "positive gesture for my co-workers".  Wow!  Was I ever amazed as the evening unfolded!  Now, I just want to tell all family "any stranger who is pregnant" (to quote from last evening) about this grand opportunity!  It's as good or better than insurance! 

I copy my vivacious step-daughter, Susanne.  She is our now healthy miracle!  Susanne was diagnosed with Advanced Hodgkin's Lymphoma, December 23, 2003.  That numbing day was also her 20th birthday.  She finished her chemo July, 2004.  As she graduates from University of Oklahoma in May, Susanne is setting her sights on fund raising for cancer endeavors.  She will be awesome!

Below is an E-mail that I sent to many of our family and friends to help "get the word out".

Thank you Eric Drew!  May God richly bless you, Nicole, and your folks! May you continue to be a huge wave of education across our world! 

Gayle Temple, RN

Subject: Eric Drew Foundation/Viacord-Newborn Cordblood Banking
Date: Fri, 02 Mar 2007 06:38:54 -0600

Last evening I attended an outstanding dinner/presentation for nurses/doctors.  The guest speaker was Eric Drew.  If you go to his site of www.drewfoundation.org , you can read an incredible story.  Eric is 39 and has survived the ravages of ALL (Leukemia).  It's almost a fluke that he survived the enormous odds given him.  If he had been fortunate enough to have Cord Blood banked at his birth, the treatments would have been far miilder, the damage to his body much less, and the 2 million dollars spent on his treatments drastically reduced. See www.viacord.com This HUGE advocate for fighting for life threatening dieases and banking cord blood seems to be living for this purpose of educating others and protecting our future and present generations from what he has endured. 

As I listened to this man, I felt a growing sense of pride for my own father.  Dad had the same Leukemia back in 1970-71.  As dad allowed Baylor College of Medicine to use him for research, he'd smile and say, "Someday, someone will get well from this disease as they learn from my body."  Well, Will Ledbetter, it's happening!  You would be so pleased! 

Susanne, I told the huge room of medical people about you.  They were all over that!  They want to hear from you .  Eric said to e-mail  or call him.  He and the entire group were thrilled to hear you are 23 and cancer free!  They were all turning, grinning at each other, and doing a "high five" with their eyes, as if they had been right there with you!  :o)  Guess when Eric's huge Bone Marrow Transplant process started -December 23, 2003 .  I almost fell out of my chair.  That was the day we learned that you too would be fighting this beastly monster of cancer.  Coincidence?  I don't believe so.

Check out the sites.  It is worth your time.  Those of you who are having babies will do well to really consider the possibilies of banking cord blood that is otherwise thrown away.  It could save your babies someday! 

love and God bless!

Gayle