In December 2000 I was 40 years old, married to Ron, with two children, Sara and Matthew, who were then four and two years old, respectively.  I led a healthy lifestyle, yet I began experiencing shoulder aches and had trouble catching my breath.  After a trip to the emergency room,   I was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).  I stayed at Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston for a month, getting treatments.  I returned each month for five days of chemotherapy.  Following 10 months of remission, I had a relapse.  A bone marrow transplant was my only option.  I could not find a match in my own family, but luckily there was a perfect match for me in the National Bone Marrow Registry.  In March 2002, I entered Hackensack University Medical Center for two months.  I needed blood and platelet transfusions and could not have survived without them.  I am humbly grateful for all of the anonymous people who gave the blood that saved my life.  I am especially thankful to my family, who was my inspiration to get better.  Today I am healthier and stronger and able to walk my children to school.  Life is great again!

Note: The Housley family lives in Maplewood.  After Laura's experience, Ron began making regular platelet apheresis donations.

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