"I thought that having a bone marrow transplant was the hardest thing I would ever do. Who knew?" says Margaret Reina, a 5-year transplant survivor who fled her home in New Orleans, Louisiana a day before Katrina hit.

Reina, who was transplanted for chronic myelogenous leukemia in 2000, took refuge in a trailer loaned to her by a friend in rural Louisiana 80 miles west of New Orleans, in the heart of Cajun country. As she watched the bus-loads of evacuees pour into this rural area with literally nothing but the clothes on their back, she decided to take action.

"I've met people who were picked off their roof-tops and bussed here to safety," says Reina. "One woman arrived in her pajamas and bare feet. "

"The big relief agencies are concentrating their efforts in the larger cities," continues Reina. "They don't have a presence in the rural communities. Yet, the need here is so great. I see so many blank faces - so much fear and despair. People have literally lost everything."

To help families get back on their feet, Reina and her partner Chodie have begun distributing gift cards to evacuees that can be used at the local WalMart or gas stations in town. They stand outside the local community center in Vermillion Parish each evening where flood victims come to pick up meals.

"We ask them what they need," says Reina. "Some need clothing, others need medicine, others need diapers for their baby. A local shelter needed fans to help keep residents cool. We're not part of a big agency. We're just evacuees in need who are reaching out to help others."

So far, the gift cards have been donated by Reina's family and friends. BMT InfoNet is bolstering Reina's relief efforts by becoming a conduit for donations of gift cards to evacuee families living in this area.

"This is a wonderful opportunity to help people in hard-to-reach communities that are desperate for help," says Sue Stewart, director of BMT InfoNet. We're delighted to support the efforts of one of our own -a transplant survivor who knows how to overcome tough odds - and who is putting her "can-do" attitude to work to help others."

Please help us get relief to evacuees in this rural area. Purchase a $25 gift card online via BMT InfoNet. One-hundred percent of your donation will be sent to the hurricane and flood victims. If you prefer to donate an amount that is not an increment of $25, phone BMT InfoNet toll-free at 888-597-7674, or purchase a gift card on your own and send it to BMT InfoNet, 2310 Skokie Valley Rd, Suite 104, Highland Park IL 60035.

Reina will be keeping a log with information about the families that are helped by this effort. "A lot of people want to tell their story. They want to be able to say 'thank you' to those who helped them," says Reina. Check the next issue of Blood & Marrow Transplant Newsletter for more about this relief effort…..and thank you in advance for your support!

(Margaret Reina is one of the transplant survivors featured in BMT InfoNet's 2006 Celebrating Life Calendar. To see her photo and learn more about her, order a copy of the Celebrating Life calendar when making your donation.)