Many Made Marrow Registry

A Success

To the Editor:

On behalf of Ron and Gloria Bienkowski, Ivy and I would like to thank everyone who participated in the Bone Marrow Donor Drive on Monday. Whether is was being tested for the registry, donating money to the cause, or sending well wishes and prayers to the family, this community really came together in a time of need.

There are many people who helped to make the drive happen; a special thank you to Janet Robinson, Barbara Bozeman, John Voket, Elizabeth O’Brien, Gary Sippin, Roseann Reggiano, all of the Newtown School PTAs, and others, who helped us to spread the word about the drive.

A big thank you to Bonnie DeLorenzo for her unmatched organizational skills, and to her great team of volunteers who put in many hours at the drive. Thank you to Cheryl Arendt and Don Roos who took care of all of our needs at the middle school. Thank you to Steve Dawson for his creative idea for “My Marrow Matters!” buttons and T-shirts, which proceeds will go to Ron’s Medical Fund. Thank you to Deborah Augenbraun for putting in many hours setting up the fund and handling donations at the drive. Also, thank you to Newtown Dunkin’ Donuts, Newtown Big Y and Chartwells for providing abundant refreshments.

Personally, I would like to say a huge thank you to Ivy Pearson for her knowledge and compassion; for “planting the seed” in my head, pointing me in the right direction, and helping me to pull it all together in a short amount of time.

Our greatest wish is to find a donor match for Ron, and to show how much we all care and support him. Thank you!

Sincerely,

Karen Grosso

6 Harvest Common Road                                              March 31, 2009