Posted under Free for All & Rihanna
 
“Today, a 32-year-old guardian angel consented to be my donor, even though in all likelihood she has never met me and does not know who I am.” Umbrella superstar Rihanna recently took time out of her hectic schedule to help a 41-year-old leukemia-stricken New York lawyer find a bone marrow donor.
“While we cannot verify the source of the donor,” Lisa Gershowitz-Flynn wrote in an email to supports Thursday morning. “This angel was most likely found through the efforts of my family and friends, as well as complete strangers who heard about my story and took it upon themselves to aid in the effort to find a donor.”
People.com first reported Rihanna’s campaign at the end of February, which prompted 5,000 readers to contact DKMS - the world’s largest bone marrow donor center – to inquire about the process of donating.
“We actually recruited and registered roughly 2,000 new donors, just from phone calls and emails we got – and it’s continuing,” said Katharina Harf, who is the executive vice president of the organization.
Since finding a proper match, Flynn has been preparing herself for the actual marrow transplant.
“My life will be saved because of you, my family and friends (old and new)” she stated gratefully. “My children (Michael, 5, and Alexandra, 3) will have their mother, my husband will have his wife, and my parents will have their daughter.”
“The English language does not have words that are adequate to thank someone for working to save your life,” Flynn concluded. “Please continue to spread the word about how important it is to fill the bone marrow registry with donors to save others.” Â
Although we haven’t heard much from Rihanna, the fact that she is willing to stand up for such a just cause speaks volumes about her character.
For further info on how to help, check out GiftforLisa.com or DKMSAmericas.org.
~Carolyn French~
