Christy Marrone Photography is excited to announce a partnership with Think Pink Photography. Think Pink Photography was founded in October 2007 to support individuals and their families who have been touched by breast cancer. We are a charitable organization that serves two main purposes – celebrating life and supporting the cause.

Through our professional photographer network, we are helping breast cancer patients to celebrate life with charitable photography sessions. Individuals may choose to document their fight against the disease before or during treatment, or prefer to capture their victory by scheduling a session within 12 months after treatment is completed. Photographers world-wide are now available to donate time and talent to celebrate life and support the cause. There is no cost or obligation to the breast cancer patient. Clients participating in a Think Pink Session will receive a complimentary photo session, as well as a set of 10 small prints from the session. They will also receive a discount on any additional portraits they wish to purchase, although there is absolutely no purchase required at any time.

To support the cause, we have partnered with The Eric R. Beverly Family Foundation. All funds generated through donations and various fundraising efforts are paid directly to The Eric R. Beverly Family Foundation. As a 3-time breast cancer survivor, Danielle Beverly and her husband Eric joined together to form a foundation dedicated to promoting education, increasing awareness, and providing support and resources for families who have been touched by breast cancer.

Please subscribe to our blog (on the Think Pink website) and tell your friends and family about Think Pink Photography. Awareness is everything and we can’t be successful without you.

I encourage you to view our website, make a donation, or hire a photographer that supports Think Pink Photography! If you hire me, mention Think Pink and I will make a personal donation to the organization. If you, or someone you know, would like to schedule a Think Pink session, please contact me for details.

I am very proud to be a network photographer with Think Pink Photography, and am anxious to get the word out about this amazing program. For more information, you can contact me, or you can visit the Think Pink Photography website at:
http://www.thinkpinkphotography.org

Aplastic anemia occurs when the bone marrow stops making enough blood-forming stem cells.  Patients have low platelets, white blood cells and red blood cells.  The bone marrow has low or no growth of cells.  Aplastic anemia is classified as moderate (MAA), severe (SAA) or very severe (VSAA) based on the neutrophil count.  Neurtrophils are a type of white blood cell found in bone marrow and your blood stream that fights off disease and infection.  Neutrophils play a very important role in obtaining a healthy immune system.  If your neutrophil count is too low your body will not be able to fight off infections and/or diseases.

Symptoms of aplastic anemia are bruising, increased bleeding (such as nose bleeds), petechaie (a tiny red or purple spot on the body caused by a minor hemorrage), has a hard time getting better when sick with a cold, cough etc., shortness of breath, fatigue, decreased alertness, dizziness.

Preston woke up one morning with petechaie, although at the time we had no idea what these little bumps all over this baby could be, and my sister and her husband took him to the Emergency Room.  After many tests (blood counts, bone marrow biopsy, medical history of everyone on both sides of the family trees) he was finally diagnosed with aplastic anemia.

There are two types of treatment for aplastic anemia:

Bone Marrow Transplant – this is the choice of treatment if the patient is under 30 years old and has a matched sibling bone marrow donor.  The transplant replaces the defective bone marrow of the patient with the healthy cells of his/her sibling donor.  This treatment often provides complete recovery of 80% of patients.  Siblings will not always be a perfect match for a bone marrow donation.

Immunosuppressive  Therapy – this is the choice of treatment in older patients and also for patients who do not have a matched bone marrow sibling donor.  ATG (Anti-Thymocyte Gloubin) plus cyclosporine is the usual therapy treatment.

Preston is an only child and has been undergoing immunosurpressive treatment for his VSAA (very severe aplastic anemia).   He is just starting to show changes in his blood counts and a bone marrow biopsy was done yesterday to see if the treatment is working for him.  If this treatment does not work the next step would be to find him a match for a bone marrow transplant off the registry of donors.  We pray that the therapy is working and we should know by the end of the week if it is.

I would like to encourage everyone to become a bone marrow donor.  It is easier then you think!  All you do is go to www.marrow.org and register.  You will have to answer some questions about your medical history.  They will then send you a registration kit.  All you need to do is swab the inside of your mouth and place it in the provided envelope and send it back.  No need to go to a doctor or hospital to get tested.  Saving a life could be as easy as a quick swab of your mouth and 10 minutes of your time.

January is also National Blood Donor Awareness Month!  Go to your local blood bank and give blood today!  If you are in Louisiana you can give blood in Preston’s name, just let them know when you go in.

Please feel free to check out Preston’s website to follow his updates — Preston’s Website

Jacob, Preston and Renee (my sister) - at Disney World while visiting us before he got sick

Preston and Maw-Maw (my mom)

Other sites on Aplastic Anemia and Donation Sites:

Be A Match – Bone Marrow Donation

Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center – Give Blood in Preston’s Name

Aplastic Anemia and MDS International Foundation

Give Blood – American Red Cross Centers

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year