So yesterday I decided to email Susan, my representative from Be the Match who helped me with my entire donation process. I sent her the youtube link to the video of my speech. I was not quite sure what she would think of it or if she would even watch it right away. Early this morning I got an email back from her with this:
"Thank you so much for sharing the video with me. You are truly a beautiful person and are destined to make a difference in this world. When I first met you I knew you were special and the video and your mission just reinforces by belief. You are an inspiration."
Hearing this from someone who has worked with so many other donors like myself, and the woman who made the donation process so incredibly easy, meant the world to me. It's this kind of encouragement that keeps pushing me to spread my story to the world, for anyone who will listen!
There have been many times where friends of mine will bring it up, and say that they are thinking about signing up. If they don't stop me, I can talk their ear off for a half hour straight, at least. I am just so obsessed with what Be the Match does. Not only that, but if I explain how simple and easy the donation process really is, and how fulfilling it is, I know people will feel better about signing up. I understand how scary it might sound. Most people hear "bone marrow" and want to run. But if I educate people about how enlightening and inspiring the experience is for the donor, then they can get the real story.
I just can't believe it's been over a year since that early Monday morning. My favorite memory of that day was when it hit afternoon, and Auntie walked over to the blood machine and could see I was just about done. It was like I was dreaming and finally woke up. And then it hit me. Not just that I would soon be free of the needles and be able to stand up for the first time in like 7 or 8 hours. But that I did it. I just changed this stranger's life forever.
Not only that, but I changed mine.
I really hope that when I'm settled down in life and have more time and resources on hand that I can somehow work with the registry. I am passionate about so many things, but the registry is for sure an organization that I know will carry with me for the rest of my life.
Now with this said, I need to make an effort to do a donor drive somewhere! Doing school full time and working 17 hours a week can be kind of time consuming though. Maybe winter break I can organize something back home. That way it won't be so close to Relay for Life where I wouldn't be trying to raise money for 2 things at the same time.
Anyway, random tangent. Point is, I am proud of myself today. I wish you could have been here to experience this whole thing with me. But I guess that's not exactly how it would have worked out, since I did this in honor of you and everything. Nevertheless, I know you would have wanted to be there. But I know you were watching over me that day to make sure everything went okay. Even though you couldn't point anyone to a bed pan so I threw up all over myself during the donation. Just kidding, I'm not blaming you. :)
I love you mom. Thank you for being my inspiration. And the fighting force of everything I do.
Love your babydoll,
Tessy Loo Loo
P.s. Can you believe your baby girl is a junior in college now? Me neither.
