By Michael Leavy
John Hyland has overcome the challenge of swimming, cycling and running in Iron Man competitions since 2000. Now he faces a greater challenge: Beating Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia.
He needs your help.
Hyland, a Morristown native and father of three, must have a bone marrow transplant to survive.
Potential donors will be screened for a match on Wednesday, Jan., 21, 2015.
If you are between ages 18 and 44 and in good health, please come to the Private Advisor Group at 65 Madison Ave., Suite 300, in Morristown, between 1 pm and 7 pm and be tested for a potential donor match, and to register.
Even if you are not a match for Hyland, you could save another life.
The test is quick and painless: A Q-Tip is swabbed in the mouth to test for compatibility. People can also go to BeTheMatch.com to register and have a testing kit mailed to them. Just log onto the site and enter the promotion code: John Hyland.
Hyland, who is managing director of the Private Advisor Group, knows what it takes to beat long odds.
He bested Acute Leukemia in 2010. Then he resumed his triathlons, and looked forward to serving as Grand Marshal in this year’s Morris County St. Patrick’s Parade.
But in September he was diagnosed with his present disease — a byproduct of the chemotherapy that saved him initially.
The treatment is more outpatient chemotherapy, followed by a rest period and then a bone marrow transplant.
Hyland withdrew from the parade to focus on his treatment. His sisters, Maureen Byrne and Colleen Loughman, are not matches. So they are spearheading a drive to find a donor.
You can follow John’s progress with the disease at https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/johnhyland and also get more information at John’s company website.
I turn 45 this month. I’d love to see if I can match, but sorry I don’t want to pay $100 to do so…?
I also was planning on going today until I reread the ages. Sorry.
This is what I found on the donor site bethematch.com…If you are between the ages of 45 and 60 and want to join the bone marrow registry, you must do so online. You will be asked to make a $100 payment to cover the cost to join.
Hi Lisa — According to John Hyland’s website, transplants from that age group have the greatest success rate. If any medical experts are reading this, perhaps they can explain why this is so. If you want to be tested for a match, stop by on Wednesday afternoon and see what the screeners say.
What is the reason for the age cap? I am 48 and am interested in seeing if I a match. I am in good health. Thank you.