Natalie Curry – Cord Blood Saved My Life

Since the development of Cord blood banks in 1989, several people have reaped the amazing rewards they have to offer! Many, many lives have been saved and the research completed has been extremely promising. Awareness is  without a doubt the greatest obstacle to the expansion of cord blood banking. However also among these obstacles is that  banks all over the world have an alarmingly low number of cord blood units  available to represent minorities.

Highly underrepresented:

• Asian
• African American
• Hispanic
• Mixed Ethnicities

Did you know that Caucasians have a 50% better chance at finding a donor through the national marrow program? For others the chance can drop to below 15%!  There are a few major reasons for these staggering statistics.  One of the biggest reasons is that the minorities listed above  have a larger variation of HLA types found in there blood than Caucasians. “What is HLA types?”, you ask? An HLA type is what makes each individuals blood unique. It is the determining factor used when looking for a donor.  So when minorities, especially with a mixed background, are searching for a donor, the odds of finding a match are much higher.

I think it’s safe to say, that this is a major problem!  The solution is simple! We need to raise awareness of cord blood preservation and increase bone marrow registrations. Everyone deserves a fighting chance! There is NO better time than right now! July is Cord Blood Awareness month..together we can spread the word!

 You can help by:  Tweeting on twitter, updating your status on facebook and sharing this valuable news with everyone you know!

Together We CAN Help Save Lives,

Natalie Curry

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Mom and I having lunch in NYC

“Those who have a strong enough WHY can bear almost any HOW.”- Tony Robbins

When doctors told me I had  to have a kidney transplant. When they told me on more than one occasion that I needed to have biopsy’s to check for cancer or when they told me  that I needed to have surgery on both of my knees and that  my dancing days were over,  I did not ask “why”? When I found out that Emily was putting her life at risk to save mine and my heart was crushed with fear for her, I did not ask “why”?   I never questioned why things happened to me, I always thought that everything happened for a reason. I feel like everything I have been through medicaly was so that other people wouldn’t have to suffer. With every procedure I had done, I thought to myself at least this is happening to me and not to someone else.This attitude has helped  me reflect upon my experiences as experiences that make me stronger.    

 I REFUSE  to allow  my medical problems to  control my life, because I have so many dreams. I REFUSE to give up.  WHY? Because I want to make a difference.  I want to have a family.  I want to see the world.  I want to be able to talk to my mom and dad everyday and I want to see my sister’s accomplish great things. I have learned that when you want something bad enough, you will do anything to figure out  HOW to make it happen!

I have many things I hope to accomplish in my lifetime. One thing is; I want to help give others a chance to fight for their dreams. With your help, we can make a difference…..July is Cord Blood Awareness month please  help me spread the word about this incredible life saving resource!

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Article from Womans Day Magazine, 1991

Twenty four years ago my parents were faced with a heart wrenching reality. Doctors told them I was going to die.

Doctors told my parents that my ONLY chance for survival was for them to conceive a perfect match sibling.  But not to bother because:

• The  chances of that happening were virtualy ZERO.
• Most importantly,  they didn’t have time to conceive a perfect match because I would die before that even happened.
• There was a 25% chance that any future children would also have Fanconi Anemia and also die!

Have you ever wanted to do something and had everyone telling you don’t do that, even though in your heart you knew it was the right thing to do?  If so, then you can begin to understand how hard it was for my parents to move forward and try and conceive again for only a SMALL chance at saving my life.

Even after making the decision, they were STILL confronted with HARSH criticism and were told that conceiving a child to save another was morally wrong.  My parents decison to have more children saved my life. They had more children, not because they needed them for spare parts, but because they had LOVE.  My mom has always said that if I would have died she wanted to have peace in her heart knowing that she did everything she could to save me.

Too many people place judgment upon parents who have a child to save another. So to those people: Imagine looking into your child’s eyes and knowing there is a chance they may NOT make it to high school? Can you imagine knowing there was a chance they would NOT be able to fall in love. Can you imagine theres a chance they will not grow up and start a family of their own? Can you imagine the feeling of not knowing what day could be there last?

Is there anything you WOULDN’T do?

Together We CAN Help Save Lives,

Natalie Curry

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My Keepers....Audrey and Emily!

This weekend is the release of the much  anticipated movie, “My Sister’s Keeper”. The movie is based on the very popular book, “My Sister’s Keeper” written by Jodi Picoult. This story is very close to my story, the only difference; mine is TRUE! If I had a dollar for every time someone asked me if “My Sister’s Keeper”  was based on my family’s story I’d be a millionaire by now!!  ”My Sister’s Keeper” is practicaly IDENTICAL to our story :

• The main character and I were both terminally ill at a young age. We both suffered from renal failure and blood disaeases.
• We were both lucky enough to have  parents that would do anything to keep us alive!
• We both had countless surgeries.

BUT the biggest difference is that my sister Emily was not genetically designed , she was a miracle.  She was born a complete match, not by science but by pure chance. She never complained or even hesitated to help, and thats what makes her a true hero! She was destined to be my keeper, and when I count my blessings I count her twice!   Both stories have one huge underlying theme: family.  Without a strong, close and loving family, I wouldn’t be here today!

“My Sisters courage”, my “Mothers strength” and “my Fathers hope” are the words that run across the screen during the previews for the film. Every time I see this, I feel a tug at my heart strings.  I can’t help but feel very emotional! It is a very bittersweet feeling: I feel happy that more people will be educated on these issues, while  at the same time ,I feel a little disappointment that more people won’t realize how real this is.

There will be THINGS  in life that’ll make you happy, TIMES in life you will  never forget, but it’s the PEOPLE in your life that will  ALWAYS matter the most!

Together We CAN Help Save Lives,

Natalie Curry

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 I feel that cord blood transplants are more associated with children than adults. Today while reading an article about this topic I realized that this is a common misunderstanding.  It is often times more difficult to have success with adult cord blood transplants simply because of the amount of stem cells required. Doctors are now working on ways to increase the amount of stem cells found inside cord blood. This is a HUGE breakthrough! This makes  educational awareness of cord blood preservation even more  important since they can also be used for adult patients.

 A perfect or near perfect match is usually preferred for a Bone marrow transplant. For cord blood transplants however the match doesn’t need to be as close! Which makes finding a cord blood donor easier.  Since stem cells found in cord blood are the newest (youngest) form of  blood cell there are often times less complications. 

Every time a child is born even if they are healthy and have no immediate use for cord blood, it is still so important to store it! You never know who might need it in the future.

Together We CAN Help Save Lives,

Natalie Curry

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Justin, me, Jeff and Mom at Sweet Revenge in NYC.....enjoying amazing cupcakes!

Earlier this week while I was on my lunch break I read a very touching newspaper article that my dad mailed to me. It was a story about a little girl who suffers from A plastic anemia and is now recovering.  Her wish was to attend the Kentucky Derby and Oaks horse races. Thanks to the Make a Wish Foundation her dreams came true. I was very inspired by her amazing story. I was once again reminded how much I want to help sick children and there families.

I feel like I’m doing what I can, but it’s not enough! I am very confident that my purpose in life is to help others especially children and those going through medical obstacles. Sometimes I get frustrated that I can’t do more, and that I can’t just reach out to all of them and give them hope. I am constantly brainstorming on ways that I can make a widespread impact. Every time I end up with the same answer, a book.  And though I am pursuing that avenue as aggressively as possible I almost feel like there’s something I’m just missing.  Something that I’m so close to I can feel it!

I don’t know……. it’s a hard feeling to describe but it’s deep in my heart. Sometimes I begin to wonder if I am just dreaming too big of dream. It’s hard to tell if it’s just wishful thinking or if it really is my destiny?! One thing is for sure, I will NOT give up!

Together We CAN Help Save Lives,

Natalie Curry

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Emily and I on her 21st Birthday

Natalie, I just wanted to tell you directly how much your story inspired and amazed me. And how strong you were at such a young age. And i’m sure you hear that everyday but i truly think your story is amazing.

 What Emily did is one of the coolest things I’ve ever heard. People keep asking me what I’m writing for my paper and I keep telling them about this really cool story about how a little sister saved her older sisters life. It is the craziest story I have ever heard.

Last night when I was checking my Facebook, I was pleased to find the above note in my inbox! It was sent to me by a high school senior who is writing a research paper about Stem Cells. I had a long conversation with her and was very happy to find out how interested she was in stem cells and all the potential that they have.

She is the second person I know this year who has done a project for school about stem cells/cord blood! This makes me very excited to know that more and more people are learning about this topic.

Together We CAN Help Save Lives,

Natalie Curry

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Sunday I woke up in the middle of night, shaking uncontrollably, dizzy and a little nausea. Justin woke up to find  me freaking out and tried to comfort me. I had been dizzy all weekend and was hoping it would just go away.  After the symptoms lasted all night I became a little concerned.  First thing Monday morning I called and left a message for my doctor.  When I explained everything to the doctor he suggested I come in right away. So I headed uptown on the subway which is not an easy task when you feel dizzy and shaky. My primary care doctor is located at Sloan Kettering in the pediatric unit.  Upon arrival the nurses did all of the routine vitals and were not able to read my blood pressure.   The doctors decided to run several blood teasts, urine tests and an EKG (heart test). 

While patiently waiting for my bed to become available I watched many family’s with sick children. I was extremely touched by there remarkable courage. Most of them were connected to IV’s or some form of machine. Some of them were in wheel chairs while others ran around playfully.  I felt like I could relate to many of them. Every time I see a sick child it reminds me how important the Save the cord foundations mission is.

They  started an IV and put me in a shared room with a  very sick, crying toddler and her lovely parents. The poor little girl was receiving a transfusion of plasma which is extremely uncomfortable.  She was understandably upset until she finally fell asleep. I was receiving vitamins through my IV while I waited anxiously for my test results to come back.  Finally after what seemed like days of waiting the doctors came in with the results. My diagnosis was a bladder infection, not good news but it defiantly could have been worse. They started me on a very strong dose of antibiotic one dose which I received intravenously.

Since I was still dizzy from my medicine the doctors wouldn’t let me leave alone. I called my sister Audrey who was at work and she came right over to the hospital. I was at the hospital a total of 5 and a half hours and I was ready to get home. A quick stop at the pharmacy and I was back to the apartment. I hadn’t eaten anything all day so Justin surprised me with one of my favorite meals from Peep along with desert from Sweet Revenge. It was the perfect ending to a very long day.

Together We CAN Help Save Lives,

Natalie Curry

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Natalie Curry on the Save the Cord Foundation from Natalie Curry on Vimeo.

This is my video interview for Ross the PR man to send out to different news stations! After three takes and plenty of laughs, I finally got it….lol! Of course I know the story VERY well, but when it came time to film what had to be a very, very short overview it was difficult to know what to say and what to leave out. We have already heard from WNBC, they are very interested in the story!!!! Hopefully this video will send many news stations our way.I’m so excited about this opportunity to help The Save the Cord Foundation.  I couldn’t have done it without Justin. With a few cups of coffee and tea, he spent two late nights making sure the video is perfect, and he did an amazing job.

Hope you enjoy!

Natalie

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View From new apartment in LIC

I just moved to Long Island City with Justin, because I needed a change in my living situation. I was living with my two sisters, my sisters on- again -off- again girlfriend and one of my good friends. There were 5 of us all in one manhattan apartment. At times it was very exciting but other times very hectic.  I had to get out of there! If you could only see the view from the new place in LIC, it is breath taking!  The skyline picture at the top is the view but it doesn’t even do it justice. When I look at the beautiful city of Manhattan I can’t help but remember how I got here.

In August 2008 I left my small town in Indiana to embark upon a journey of a lifetime in NYC! I didn’t know then, exactly why I went, or what the great city would have in store for me. I know now that it is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.  My sisters had been planning to go to the city.I had not considered it an option for me. Until one day while listening to one of my favorite songs, Vienna by Billy Joel with tears rolling down my face it just hit me that I had to go to NYC.

It hasn’t been a smoothe ride, and at times it has been a bit overwhelming.  I came to the city with no job and no degree. The job searching seemed endless and to top it off I had to re-etablish all of my healthcare with doctors up here.  The first couple of months were hard but I found a good job and had great luck finding wonderful healthcare. Even with all of the hard times, the experiences I’ve gained and the people I’ve met have changed my life forever.  I have gotten to see the Rocketts at Christmas time, taken an acting class in times square, ate Valentines day dinner at the Waldorf Astoria. I have seen them blow up the Macy’s Thanksgiving day parade balloons I took walks in Central park and watched the leaves change and then fall.  I met  Justin and can’t imagine the city without him. So I have done and seen things I never would have dreamed possible.  Sometimes change and taking risks can be scary, often times it is daunting but most of the time it’s worth it.

“It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and seemingly secure, to embrace the new. But there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful. There is more security in the adventurous and exciting, for in the movement there is life and in change there is power.” – Alan Cohen

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