My husband and I met Shagah, short for Shagahyech, last year at her father's restaurant. We began to look forward to visiting with her when we went there every Saturday and finding out all the wonderful things she was doing at school. She carried a full load including advanced placement, was very active in school activities, and was a waitress as well at the family's Persian restaurant. We discovered what an amazing young woman she was. Not only did she work and love it, but also in her high school junior year had already qualified for 3 college level courses. She was elected president of her class and in April was telling us about all her plans for the summer. She always bubbled over with enthusiasm for everything she did.

About a month ago, we learned that she had a rare blood disease that would change all her plans. None of the family had suspected this would occur. Even though she will not be able to be at school, she has kept her family and friends going with her upbeat attitude. I am writing this in the hope that perhaps it can help locate a perfect match marrow donor as well as possibly motivate anyone to donate some money to help defray the costs of the blood tests. The family has to pay for blood tests if the donors cannot pay. In addition, the family will undergo many other expenses such as the loss of her mother's income since she will be going with Shagah when she goes to Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, TN.

Shagah is a young Iranian living in Tulsa, Oklahoma . She was recently diagnosed with a rare form of bone marrow disorder called Myelodysplatic Syndrome or MDS. MDS causes the bone marrow to produce improper amounts of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets; these are essential to assist the body in fighting illnesses and staying healthy. MDS eventually progresses into leukemia. Unfortunately, recently, her tests are showing she is getting closer all the time. Currently, one of the treatments for MDS is a bone marrow transplant which is what is recommended for Shagahyech. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital has searched the national bone marrow registry for a donor and among the 5 million people registered no match was found. She will be entering St. Jude Children's Research Hospital during the summer whether a donor is found or not.

If you can make a donation, click on Donation . This will take you to the marrow 4 Shagah web site.

While she has many friends both old and young in Tulsa who are rallying around her, a bone marrow match is usually closer if it is from the same or a similar ethnic heritage. Shagah means a lot to us. Please help. If you need more information, you can go to the website above or always contact me, and I will get in touch with the family.

An update. Shagah had a bone marrow transplant this past summer. She was able to come home to her family for the first time on Thanksgiving day. Though her ordeal continues, all her friends are so happy to have her home.

I am happy to report that my husband and I are going to her high school graduation this month (5/06).