Here's an update from our friend, TERRY BRENNAN:
Hey all,
First of all, thank you and all of your friends for the outpouring (literally and figuratively) for this past Saturday's blood drive. The NY Blood Center said it was one of its best drives to date with approximately 240 units of blood taken on 3 mobile units, and probably 300+ people showing up to try and donate. Awesome job!, and send the thanks out to those on your contact list that you know showed up to give. We actually had to turn away some people even with a NY Blood Center shuttle van taking walk ups to locations around the city so they could be accommodated. I will have definitive numbers at a later date and there is a tentative plan to do another drive in a week or so at MJ Armstrong's for the StuyTown crowd and for those who missed or got blocked out of this one. The key is that we really did something good and we all should be proud of it from the point of view that we will be helping the needy or even possibly saving a life.
On to Matt. He is still listed in critical and has a hard-nosed focus on getting well. He is lucid and yes, he knows what is going on and consults with his doctors. He still is not allowed visitors, but his family enjoys when his friends and coworkers keep stopping by. Meeting people and hearing their stories is in itself great support for them. People have been bringing pictures, DVD's, CD's, books, cards, and snacks, cookies and cakes, of course. Matt is not ready for the cookies and cakes just yet, but he has been allowed a few requests like a chocolate shake (he was psyched) and some Jack Johnson CD's and DVD's. It reminds you that sometimes the simple stuff ain't that simple. He has been moved from one ICU to another, for lack of better words, "less critical" ICU that is closer to his family. DO NOT take this as everything is fine and dandy. He is still critical and still needs your prayers and support. He still has operations and procedures ahead of him to overcome including one tomorrow, so keep him in your prayers at work. What you can take with you today is that he appreciates each and every one of you and your support and that he is serious and focused about his recovery and future rehab. That in itself gives me supreme confidence...which is good.
Again, I can't thank you enough for you support of his family's wishes regarding this blood drive for Matt. Maybe we all can become activists of a sort to "break the banks", with Matty as our impetus. The Blood Center thinks Matt's #43369 could at one point represent the most successful drive ever. That'd be kinda cool.
Diddy had everyone "Vote or Die" for last year's elections; maybe we can start the "Break the Banks" or "Bleed or Die" movement, as rough and realistic as that sounds. I can't emphasize more the disappointment in myself at the lack of knowledge regarding the blood shortage, platelet shortage, and marrow transplant shortage or that there is a special version of a type of blood that is the only one that can be given to unhealthy infants. It is all too much and too simple at the same time. A FREE self replenishing commodity or natural resource that has bottom of the barrel shortages?! That just sounds like crazy talk. One day someone will look at a history book an say, "What were they thinking?".
Thanks again and until the next update, "We done good!",
Terry B
Good stuff, T.B.; Keep bringin' us the updates!
NUFF SAID
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