Local Patients Honored
Lone Star Circle of Life tour arrives at UTSA, bringing awareness to the gift of life
(San Antonio, TX) - In its 14th year, the Lone Star Circle of Life Bike Tour continues to raise awareness of the need for life-saving donations of blood, marrow, organs and tissue. Riders will arrive at UTSA’s Main Campus in the Sombrilla this Tuesday at 1pm after having biked from College Station for honorees. These local honorees include:
Susan Dick
"In April, 2007, I learned after an executive physical required by my employer, USAA, that I had AML. The particular sub-type, trisomy 8, required treatment first with chemotherapy, then the search for a "10" donor to provide me with a bone marrow transplant. After six weeks of searching, the National Marrow Donor program Registry found my perfect "10" donor match. A man in his early forties from the West coast of the United States! I am now four years plus post-transplant, still in remission and loving life!! On our Camp Verde, Texas ranch, my husband, Bob and I enjoy our seven horses, two dogs, several cats and a pet deer, John Deere.
Amelia Speers
Amelia Speer is truly dedicated to her community and to saving lives through her numerous platelet and red cell donations. Amelia recently surpassed her 51 gallon donation count, truly amazing. Not only is she dedicated to donating herself, she is committed to getting the word out on the critical need to donate blood. Amelia has shared with me the success she has had sharing her story through the use of her children’s social media sites such as Facebook. Sharing her donation milestones using social media has encouraged her children and their friends to come in and donate in between high school blood drives. Amelia will use whatever means necessary to get the word out.
These local honorees and families, along with supporters will be on hand to welcome and thank the riders. The tour takes cyclists on an eight-day, 665 mile ride kicking off in Beaumont and wrapping up in Tyler, Texas. On Tuesday, the community can join the Be The Match marrow donor registry and register to be a tissue and organ donor
Please visit http://circleoflife.sw.org for more information about the event, including bios of riders and other local honorees. The Be The Match Marrow Registry helps people who need a life-saving marrow or blood cell transplant. They connect patients, doctors, donors and researchers to resources they need to help more people live longer, healthier lives.