A request from Clair

Hello Everyone, I wanted to put a link to this blog Trent Duval is a little boy who has AML Leukemia also and is from the Sandy/Draper area and has been through every treatment possible to no avail and now has been sent home. His grace and spirit are amazing and Dad was really touched by his story. I would ask you to go to his blog and read this little boys sweet story. Jessica called and told me about and I have been crying now since I read it. They do have a trust fund set up for him, but most importantly just reading about this little boys strength is life changing! Dad continues to feel well and I will update more as soon as we have news.
Thank you all for your support.

Update

Dad went to the hospital yesterday and he found out that his platelets are continuing to go down, but he is still feeling good. They are working on how to get them back up. The good news is there is a definite fuzz to Dad's head right now and it is coming back the same color! YEAH!!

Slide Show

This is a slide show of pictures from a recent family party. Gina and Mel got together and decided we should have a family party while Dad is feeling good right now. Well, it was a wonderful evening full of memories, laughs, tears and lots of love. So here is some memories for anyone who would like to share. And I know all of the family would like to send their prayers and love to Michelle and John in St. Louis, we are praying for you and we hope you are comforted at this time.
As far as an update Dad continues to feel well, we will post anything as soon as we hear. So for right now No news is good news.

Make a Smilebox photobook

Attention anyone who wants to be on the donor list for free!!

I just wanted to let everyone know that right now September 7-22 NASCAR is sponsoring a bone marrow registry drive. You can get on the registry for free and you can do it from home!! Just go to this link http://www.marrow.org/HELP/Events/NASCAR/index.html and you can sign up and do a short medical history and NASCAR will cover the cost of the kit $52. If you were interested in getting on the registry but like everyone else money is a little tight, this would be a great option. Take Care ALL!!
I'm sure Gina and Mel would like me to remind all the family about the birthday party/family picture/potluck day next Saturday at Mom and Dad's church.
Love to you all!

A little post...

So Dad went to the hospital just recently and they told him...See you in thirty days!! Isn't that awesome!!

An Update and an apology...

I wanted to update you all on Dad's condition, things are going really well his platelets have risen to 60,000!!! on their OWN!! He went to go to the hospital about a week and a half ago and they sent him home and told him see you in two weeks! Very good news! We are so grateful for all the thoughts and prayers that have been offered on behalf of Dad. They are obviously working. I apologize for not updating sooner. I have been getting ready to start teaching at the kids school and have been very busy getting everything I need. I will update as soon as I have more info. Thanks again. Bankhead Family.

A side post

This is from Jamie Dad's grandaughter, I talked to Dad about some of kids getting tested and he actually hadn't even thought about it. And when I mentioned this he thought it was a good idea regardless. So if you want to you can contact Jamie to get the details. Here is the post from Jamie.

As much as the doctors say that Grandpa's children and grandchildren are unlikely to be matches, stranger things have happened. I work in organ donation where organs are allocated every day based on many aspects, one of which being antigens. I'm not saying I am an expert by any means, nor am I saying that I know more than the doctors BUT since I work in this field every single day I feel like I have a pretty good understanding of what we are up against. It is my feeling and belief that anyone in the family who wants to be tested as a donor for Grandpa ~or~ to be a donor for someone else in his same situation (believe me, they are out there), I would encourage you to do so. The cost to be tested against Grandpa's antigens alone and done locally in Utah is $355. The cost to join the National Marrow Donor Program to be among the 12,000 U.S. donors is $55. I know money is tight for everyone right now but I can't think of anything that is more important to me. I don't know if anyone reads these comments and I would hope that I haven't offended anyone, I just feel such desperation to find someone to help Grandpa