05/05/2008: "Donor For Matt Johnson Found"

ig_Matt_Johnson_Family-2 (49k image) Matt Johnson started his preparation for a bone marrow transplant with a physical and another blood transfusion on Thursday May 1. The good news is that a donor's been identified (a 28 year old female) and she is having her physical exam this week.

Until the point of beginning chemo on the 17th, he'll be in and out Fred Hutchison with various tests They'll be continuing with physical testing and provide education regarding food safety and what will be expected after the transplant which is tentatively scheduled for May 23rd.

More good news is that instead of a 6 day chemo regime for Matt, 3 days out patient and 3 days in the hospital, they’ve been told that he will NOT need to be hospitalized for the last half of the chemo or for the 3 weeks after transplant. Instead, the chemo will be a 5 day course, which will be easier on him, during which time he and Jackie will be at a condo close to the hospital they had to rent in the event he needs to go in and out of the hospital during that time.

Auction items & donations are still being accepted at Islanders Insurance for a very “fun” evening of support for Matt and Jackie Johnson to assist with Matt’s bone marrow transplant ( Related Story).

The event is happening Saturday, May 17, 6pm -10pm. at the fairground building featuring a salmon dinner, live music and auction. Auction items and donations are accepted at Islanders Insurance, 545 Spring St. Contact: Nancy Jones, 378-5467, Dianne Hall, 298-0637 or Jane Gerhardstein, 378-4321. Checks should be made payable to ‘Matt Johnson Family Benefit Fund” at Wells Fargo Bank.

Matt and Jackie now have a website that will keep you informed. If interested, go to http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/mattjohnson2 and check it out.

The Fund Raising Event is being presented by friends of the Johnson and King families: Kerwin, Margaret, Ben and Vanessa Johnson, Rick and Karen King, Greg and Natalie King, and Steve and Kelli King and Family.