If you knit or crochet, and you are anywhere on Planet Yarn with the rest of us, you have probably heard of the wondrous dyeing abilities of Ray Whiting, and, hopefully, you have had at least one little moment of knitterly weakness on the www.kntivity.com website.
Over the last several years Ray has rebuilt his life after Hurricane Katrina as a full-time dyer of wools, bringing us wondrous colors and even machine washable laceweight. Ray is a "roll up your sleeves and get to work" kind of guy, but at the moment he is faced with a crisis that he can't solve through hard work and talent alone.
Ray needs our help.
Not for himself, but for a beloved family member.
Ray's son-in-law, David, was recently diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia and is in need of blood. He is being treated at MD Anderson in Houston, Texas and he needs both blood and platelets.
For some reason, MD Anderson doesn't take credits from other blood banks, so well-meaning knitters in distant cities can't give credit through their local blood bank. As a result, blood donation is limited to donors in the Houston area, or people who are willing to drive to MD Anderson in Houston. Donors can find information about how and when to donate here:
It doesn't matter what blood type you are. If you donate on location, your donation will be cross-credited within their own system. He is in most dire need of platelets. Blood donations can be made in the name of: David Allen Rogers.
If anyone in Southeast Texas is willing to drive to MD Anderson and donate a pint of blood, Ray and his family will have your eternal gratitude.
When Ray told me about his son-in-law's situation, I promised to put out a call for blood donors.
But there's something else Ray told me: his son-in-law's insurance is leaving the family with large deductibles and co-payments. Ray didn't ask me to ask people for money, but me? I'm a shameless beggar when it comes to begging on behalf of others.
So if you'd like to give blood, but you live too far away to make the drive to MD Anderson, please consider making a donation in whatever amount you can afford towards David's medical bills. Even a few dollars help with mounting medical bills.
If you would like to help, please make your check payable to:
David Allen Rogers
and send it:
c/o Ray Whiting
14435 Eagle Pass St.
Houston, TX 77015
If you'd rather not write a check, you can contact Ray through the Knitivity website (above) and I'm sure he can figure out a way you can help through Paypal.
Thank you all so much for considering donating blood or donating toward the family's medical expenses. Whether or not you are able to help, please hold Ray and his family close in your thoughts while the medical team at MD Anderson tries to buy David more time with his wife and family.
Thank you.
