Fighting Leukemia with Dorothy Vernon Brown

Health Talk With Dr. Diane MD

It’s the worst news you ever want to hear. ‘I think you have leukemia’, the young doctor told her. That was August 2013 when Dorothy Vernon Brown was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). As a devoted mother, wife, entrepreneur and serial volunteer it was a kick to the gut. Her treatments have gone well but Dorothy, like many minorities on the donor list, is in DESPERATE need of a stem cell transplant to continue to live and prevent a relapse. Less than 25% of patients who need a stem cell transplant will find a match in their family; regrettably Dorothy is one of these. Her best chance of finding a match is to find a donor from her own ethnic group. She is of Jamaican heritage with a mixed background of Black and Irish. Dorothy urgently need the help from the Jamaican/West Indian community and young men (women not excluded) between the ages of 17 and 35 to become a donor with OneMatch Stem Cell and Marrow Network (www.OneMatch.ca). This will increase her chances of finding a match. You may contact Dorothy Vernon Brown at www.DonorDrive4Dorothy.org or via Dr. Diane Thompson at www.DrDianeThompson.com Disclaimer: The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended for diagnosis or treatment. Seek the help of your health care provider before making any changes to your health.