To all the Project Michelle volunteers:

Even though I may not have met you, you are no longer a stranger to me. We are now part of a nationwide grass roots effort, an amazing group of people with the same goal – saving Michelle and others like her.

This past week, like you, I have dedicated many hours to our efforts – in order to change Michelle’s odds for the better. I wouldn´t have guessed how much I would also receive in return for my single act of commitment and generosity…

I feel that I am part of something bigger than me. It feels good. I am connected to others – hundreds, thousands of caring people.

• For a moment, I have stopped being selfish and stopped thinking of only myself and my own life’s drama. I am thinking of someone else.
• By emailing people for help, I have re-kindled many friendships—people that I had not contacted for a while because I thought that I was too busy with life or too embarrassed to contact them after a long silence, and they have responded without hesitation to my plea of help.
• I have made unexpected connections – friends of friends of friends. We are indeed all connected within 6 degree of separation.
• I became informed about Leukemia and the need to register as a possible donor – not just for current patients, but as long-term insurance for myself and my loved ones as well.
• I no longer take for granted my health. I am starting to take care of myself. Being healthy is a gift. We need to take care of our body – it allows us so much freedom.
• Every day, I now go to bed saying how blessed I am – I have a home, friends, family, health, a job.
• I have stopped my constant busyness and taken the moment to really ask myself “what is important in life?”, “what do I stand for?”
• I have shed many tears for you, Michelle, but they have made me more human and have washed my soul.
• I have faced the possibility of someone’s death and asked about my own mortality. It has made my life more precious.
• “Family sticks together through thick and thin” they say. Our family has bonded together like never before.
• I have seen the generosity, not only of friends, but also of complete strangers. This has confirmed my belief in human kindness.
• I have seen in action the unique American spirit of solidarity that all other nations talk about.
• Oh, and I have never been more proud of my school for rallying behind another alma matter´s student.
• I have seen the possibility of myself being a hero. Being a hero is not only for the Martin Luther Kings and the Ghandis. The possibility lives in each one of us. “Be the change you want to see in the world” Ghandi says.
• Faced with the never-done-before goal of 15,000 Asian possible donors, I have learned not to give up. I, and thousands of others, are determined to make Michelle´s possibility a reality and to prove that “Impossible is nothing” (Adidas slogan).

I have made a decision to live a “life worth living."

Did I say that I am lucky? I have been given the opportunity to learn these lessons, without having to face death myself.

Thank you Michelle for who you are, for inspiring something better in me. "

Amen

i wish those around me would open their eyes and recognize.