Marrow Power Reaches Out to Patients

Lee March Grayson (left), his mother Stella Hart (center) and his donor Cheryl Wrigley meet

At age 34, when Lee March Grayson learned he had leukemia, he was stunned. "The diagnosis thundered through my mind like a shock wave," he recalls. Now, nine years later, Grayson is well, competing in marathons and running Marrow Power-a grassroots organization that helps transplant families overcome some of the obstacles he faced as he sought a cure.

Like many, Grayson was not fortunate enough to have a family member who could serve as his donor. For sixteen months, he and his family organized bone marrow donor drives hoping that a matching donor would turn up. Finally she appeared: Cheryl Wrigley-who, like Grayson, has Jewish roots in both Austria and Russia-was the life-saver Grayson had been seeking.

An attorney and law professor, Grayson decided after his transplant to take on the challenge of helping other families navigate the transplant experience. He created Marrow Power, which has succeeded in recruiting thousands of new bone marrow donors.

"Marrow Power is a wonderful resource," says Cheryl Papasso, recruitment coordinator for the HLA Registry in New Jersey. "They help families organize and publicize bone marrow donor drives and on the day of the donor drive, they talk with donors and explain what's involved in donating marrow. We've referred lots of families to Marrow Power."

Marrow Power's mission extends beyond donor recruitment. "We also offer support and guidance to the patient and family members who are coping with the overwhelming demands of the illness," says Robert Grayson, Lee's brother and partner in Marrow Power. "Marrow Power's mission is to ease the entire family's burden. Through one-on-one counseling, education, and fundraising assistance, we help others face this terrifying ordeal."

"Strange as it sounds, I found that cancer can be inspirational," says Lee. "Cancer is not an end, but a beginning-a new way of looking at life. Time becomes precious and family, friends and helping others in need are the only things that matter. Whenever someone newly diagnosed with leukemia wants to talk to me, I always make the time."

To learn more about Marrow Power phone 973-895-3051.