meet jonathan!
Jonathan is a 32-year old athlete, sports fan and outdoor lover. He is as much at home hiking the trails as he is traveling the globe with his wife and college sweetheart. He is a devoted son, brother, friend and teammate, and is truly that person who would give a stranger the shirt off his back if needed.
Jonathan was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia, a very aggressive blood cancer, in March 2009. He underwent rounds of chemotherapy and unfortunately did not achieve remission with chemo alone. His only chance is a bone marrow transplant and there are currently no matches on the registry. Since Jonathan is of European Jewish descent, it is most likely that his match will be too. However, we encourage anyone and everyone to join the registry.
Please consider registering to become a bone marrow donor. You may be Jonathan’s perfect match or a match for someone just like him!
20 Responses to “meet jonathan!”
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June 29th, 2009 at 8:03 am
Best wishes for finding a match. People find lost contact lenses and earring backs on the floor, so like a needle in a haystack – I wish you success on your difficult search. My niece – the other Sharon Kaye is friends with your sister and got in touch with us. We are already registered, but took the time to register our adult children now! Best Wishes for healing and health
June 29th, 2009 at 10:22 am
Stay strong.You don’t know me but I was inspired by your website. I understand what you are going through, having been diagnosed with AMPL on September 26, 2008. I posted your site on my facebook and hopefully all my friends will do the same. Remember to keep a smile on your face. That was the only way I made it though the cancer and chemo.
July 2nd, 2009 at 7:53 am
I’m proud to say I have been on the National Marrow Donor Program since 2001. I keep my card in my wallet all the time. Maybe some day, someone will need mine. Maybe you Jonathan! You know all of us Clerks are rooting for you!!!!
July 5th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Dear Jonathan, Anna and Cliff,
I hope that a match is found. Do you need any help publicizing the drive to get people registered in Reston this coming weekend? I don’t mind contacting people I know of at the Post and smaller newspapers as well as radio stations and other places. If you don’t mind the information being publicized, I’d be happy to help. If you don’t want me to try, I would totally understand. I don’t want to be meddlesome, but just would love to help.
May you get a complete remission and a very happy outcome!
Best,
Marcy Manning (please email back and let me know, ok?)
July 5th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
Hi Jon,
Read about your story on the internet. I immediately signed up to have my marrow tested. Keep your fingers crossed. It would be my pleasure to help you if I could.
My husband is a local pastor and he has some health problems that will not allow him to do it, but he will be behind me 100% with prayer. I live in Cartersville, GA. I am praying for you and hoping that my “southern blood” will help you or someone else. God Bless,
Bill and Deana Watson.
July 6th, 2009 at 10:55 pm
I think I will try to recommend this post to my friends and family, cuz it’s really helpful.
July 7th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
Hi, Jonathon!
As a few of the others who have posted here, I don’t know you from Adam, but you are giving me an opportunity that I have been waiting for for a long while, now. I will gladly and with much hope, be happy to become a donor. I don’t know if we will match, but even if I can’t help you, maybe I will be able to help someone else, down the road.
My mother is a 12-year survivor of APL, and, luckily, never needed the bone marrow. My boyfriends’ sister is battling AML, in California, as we speak.
So for you…..and Robin……and in honor of the blessing of still having my mom, I will be there on the 19th.
Keep up the good fight, and know that there ARE miracles out there to be had by many….I hope and pray that you are one of them!
God bless, and may your journey lead to the destination that you and so many are praying for, for you.
Debbie
July 8th, 2009 at 10:24 am
I have a friend who was recently diagnosed with the same form of Cancer. She is on her first round of Chemotherapy. I have been on the bone marrow registry for over 20 years. I just got in touch with them to make sure my information was current. My hope is to be a match for someone some day…maybe you
July 9th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
Hi Jonathan,
I am already a donor with DKMS Donor # 28390. Would they contact you if I am a match to you? I will pass the information to some of my friends.
I am praying for you. Peace, Wholeness and Blessings, Rosemarie
July 10th, 2009 at 8:41 am
i will see if am i match
July 10th, 2009 at 9:05 am
i just got done registering and i hope i get the call to do this for u.
July 10th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
Hey Jonathan,
I recently saw your story on WJZ and could not help but reach out to you. My name is Ryan, I am 33 years old and was diagnosed with AML in June 10th 2005. I was exactly like you are, athletic, played sports, healthy, love the outdoors, and never thought something like this could happen. I was treated at JHU and have been under their care for the last 4 years. I can guarantee you are in good hands with the staff there at JHU. I went through 2 rounds of of chemo and then 2 rounds of comsolidation and like you I went into remission but the leukemia came back. I received a BMT from my sister in Nov 06. I was lucky enough that she was a 100% match. I am not able to be on the donor list but I want you to know that my family will be getting registered. I am sure you have a lot of questions that are running through your mind. I want you to know that if there is anything I can do or answer for you please let me know. I live in Harford County and I come back to Hopkins weekly for treatments. I am not far at all. I can tell you that the one thing that kept me strong through all I went through was having a positive attitude ALL the time. You are going to have good days and bad days but keep a clear head and things will work out. Again, I will keep you in my thoughts and pray for you.
-Ryan
July 13th, 2009 at 6:03 am
Jonathan, heard about your fight from Ross Lake! I don’t know if you even remember me from Goucher, but that doesn’t matter, I wanted you to know that my wife (Kate Jenkins, Goucher ‘97) and family (Mathias, 5, and Lucas, 2) will be praying for a speedy find of a bone marrow donor and a strong recovery. I am also going to go in and register as a donor, you never know, right?
Once you recover, if you ever find yourself near Austin, TX, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us, “mi casa es su casa”!
Cheers and God Speed!
Henry Cubillan
Goucher ‘96
July 13th, 2009 at 11:09 am
I heard of your story on the news the other day. I’ve always felt inspired to do this type of thing, but have never just “done it”!…however, when I heard you had a jewish background…well, I have a little, my great grandmother was Rosa Yetta Cohen…so maybe that’s enough and then when I heard the drive was on my birthday, I thought…well maybe this was meant to “B”! Anyway…I work right next store to the JHU in White Marsh and I live in Harford County…would there by anyway of getting “swabbed” during my lunch time here at work (at HU next door)?
July 14th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
Wow! Thank you all for your messages. It’s so great to hear from old friends and from people I’ve never met. It really helps.
I’ve seen a few comments on how you can get tested if you can’t make one of your drives. The easiest way is to get a test kit sent to your home free of charge from DKMS. Here’s the link to order it online http://www.dkmsamericas.org/marrow-donor-form. Again thanks for all your support. Each day gets easier because of people like you.
July 15th, 2009 at 8:52 pm
Dear Jonathan,
Hi. You don’t know me but I know your sister through her Hopkins friends. I want to wish you luck, hope and a speedy match. One of my sisters is in the registry (since about 2002) and I’ve always wanted to do the same. She was actually a match for a little girl a few years ago…I’m going to the drive at the JCC in NYC tomorrow and I hope beyond hope that I’m a match (or that you find one soon). My 3-month old son Jack will be in tow entertaining everyone… bringing laughs and spreading cheer to all who attend. I hope some of that reaches you….
Best of luck,
Jen
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:40 am
Dear Jonathan,
I was diagnosed in April of 2008 with MDS and rec’d a Bone Marrow Transplant in August of 2008. Don’t give up and stay positive…It is not easy staying positive at times–but it does help. I will pray that you get your perfect match…
Vicki
August 3rd, 2009 at 8:44 am
Jon,
I met up with Dennis since we now work for the same company. I was sorry to hear what you are going through. I will sign up for the test kit, it would be an honor to save your life.
Ian Perry
August 11th, 2009 at 7:49 am
Jon,
Having experienced my 21 year old son with AML has changed my world. The only thing I can tell you is don’t give up and keep your faith. Sorry I was not a match just keep searching.
Theresa
January 12th, 2012 at 1:22 am
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