Kimberlin Brown: Soap opera legend saves life of a baby!
Happy holiday season to all!
When you've played some of the best soap opera vixens on tv, you've spent your workday trying to convince a television audience that you are mean, vindictive and spiteful.
However, beneath her actress persona the real Kimberlin Brown is simply a caring, doting wife and mother who is nothing like her onscreen character. As a mother of two, she adores her children and, like most moms, would do anything for them, especially if they were sick. She would also hope that if her own children were sick, someone would want to help save them. That’s why Kimberlin’s decision to donate bone marrow to help save the life of a toddler was a no brainer, no matter how painful or inconvenient it was.
It all started when an adult neighbor was diagnosed with leukemia. The community started a bone marrow drive and Kimberlin signed up. Although she wasn’t a match for this gentleman, she knew she could be called up at any time if she was a match for anyone in the registry. The odds of being a genetic match were incredibly thin, but Kimberlin agreed to keep her name in the registry.
One day, when Kimberlin least expected it -- while busy shooting scenes and living her normal everyday life – she got THAT phone call – the phone call that would change her life and eventually change the life of a very sick toddler.
“The toddler had leukemia and they told me I was a match for her,” says Brown. They took four or five vials of blood for further testing and I didn’t hear anything for three months and then they took more blood for more testing and it took more months.”
One year later (that’s right, one year later), Brown found out that she was the best match for this child – she matched all six markers that they were looking at!
How did you feel about actually going through the procedure now that it was real?
I’m a mom of two kids – I knew it had to be done. If it happened to my kids and someone was a match and didn’t come forward, I would be beside myself.
How did this affect your life?
I had a full physical and took only two days off of work during the procedure. It’s not an invasive surgery now. I had five days of injections that would force the cells to mature. It made me achy and my knees really hurt and gave me flu-like symptoms. I took some extra strength Tylenol but the pain was bearable.
Did you ever think of backing out once you started?
Not at any point.
When did you feel better?
There is some minor discomfort during it but afterward it goes away and it’s nothing compared to what the patient goes through.
What did the people at work think of you doing this?
My producer said I was a ‘hero’, but I don’t look at it that way.
Have you met the little girl?
Not yet. I did send her a letter and a blanket and told her the blanket was like getting a hug from me.
How do you think the little girl’s family felt?
I can’t imagine the emotions they went through to have potential matches and then their hopes skyrocket. If it's a definite match you have to wait until they contact you and the person commits to doing this. The donor still has to commit to going through the procedure before they get too excited.
What would you like us to know about this cause?
There is so much to know about bone marrow transplants. We need to get the word out that all you need to do is have one vial of blood drawn for bone marrow registry. Literally, it’s two seconds of your time and I never thought that I might get that call one day.
Would you do it again?
Absolutely.
Check out City of Hope for more information.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Young Storytellers
Young Storytellers: How would you like a phone call from The Fonz!
I've said it before and I'll say it again -- being a writer, I love charities that help kids to read and that exposes them to books and opportunities. To benefit Young Storytellers at www.youngstorytellers.com, there's a few days left to bid on this terrific auction. Your prize: a phone call from one of your fave celebs, including:
Kristen Bell - Veronica Mars
Sophia Bush - One Tree Hill
Adam Duritz - The Counting Crows
Rob Lowe
Seth MacFarlane- Family Guy (voice of Peter Griffin)
Chris Parnell - Saturday Night Live
Josh Radnor - How I Met Your Mother
Henry Winkler (The Fonz)
The cast members of the OC
The cast members of the Office
The entire cast of Zoe 101
The Young Storytellers Foundation is a Los Angeles-based arts education organization dedicated to developing literacy, self-expression and self-esteem in elementary school children. In my opinion, something like this should be in every school across the nation!
Board members include JJ Abrams and Director McG. Supporters include Matthew Perry, Tate Donavan, Jason Ritter, Rachel Bilson, Melissa Joan Hart and many others.
Hurry and check this out -- not much time left!
www.ebay.com/skypeaceleb
I've said it before and I'll say it again -- being a writer, I love charities that help kids to read and that exposes them to books and opportunities. To benefit Young Storytellers at www.youngstorytellers.com, there's a few days left to bid on this terrific auction. Your prize: a phone call from one of your fave celebs, including:
Kristen Bell - Veronica Mars
Sophia Bush - One Tree Hill
Adam Duritz - The Counting Crows
Rob Lowe
Seth MacFarlane- Family Guy (voice of Peter Griffin)
Chris Parnell - Saturday Night Live
Josh Radnor - How I Met Your Mother
Henry Winkler (The Fonz)
The cast members of the OC
The cast members of the Office
The entire cast of Zoe 101
The Young Storytellers Foundation is a Los Angeles-based arts education organization dedicated to developing literacy, self-expression and self-esteem in elementary school children. In my opinion, something like this should be in every school across the nation!
Board members include JJ Abrams and Director McG. Supporters include Matthew Perry, Tate Donavan, Jason Ritter, Rachel Bilson, Melissa Joan Hart and many others.
Hurry and check this out -- not much time left!
www.ebay.com/skypeaceleb
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Update on the blog
My features will be posted again starting Monday, December 11th -- have computer issues this week -- sorry!
In the meantime, I've been asked by readers what is my choice of charity that I like to mention.
That's easy -- in 1999, my husband died of Hodgkin's Disease, a friend died of it recently and pro wrestler Rowdy Roddy Piper just got diagnosed with it, so I'd like to recommend The Lymphoma Research Foundation. This disease is NOT common and, like all cancers, needs a cure. Best wishes of a speedy recovery to Piper -- my kids watch wrestling all the time and they are very familiar with how scary this disease is too.
Until next week,
lisa
In the meantime, I've been asked by readers what is my choice of charity that I like to mention.
That's easy -- in 1999, my husband died of Hodgkin's Disease, a friend died of it recently and pro wrestler Rowdy Roddy Piper just got diagnosed with it, so I'd like to recommend The Lymphoma Research Foundation. This disease is NOT common and, like all cancers, needs a cure. Best wishes of a speedy recovery to Piper -- my kids watch wrestling all the time and they are very familiar with how scary this disease is too.
Until next week,
lisa
Friday, December 01, 2006
Broadway's Rent
Broadway's Rent:
Today, December 1, is World AIDS Day -- according to the Website www.worldaidsday.org, around forty million people are living with HIV throughout the world - and that number increases in every region every day. Ignorance and prejudice are fuelling the spread of a preventable disease.
World AIDS Day is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV and AIDS. This year, it's up to you, me and us to stop the spread of HIV and end prejudice.
A few weeks ago, my daughter and I had the pleasure of seeing the off-Broadway show Rent -- it's an amazing musical that just reminds you about a disease that many of us have perhaps become complacent about. I spoke to Shelley Morrison, from Will & Grace who does a lot of work for AIDS organizations about this and she said that it was because people think that the medications will take care of the disease now so they aren't worried about preventing it as much. Prevention and awareness are still vitally important to stopping this horrific disease.
In honor of the cast of Rent, who has raised millions for AIDS, make a donation, volunteer your time, send a gift to an AIDS patient, or do SOMETHING today for someone with AIDS. Visit Broadway Cares for more information.
Today, December 1, is World AIDS Day -- according to the Website www.worldaidsday.org, around forty million people are living with HIV throughout the world - and that number increases in every region every day. Ignorance and prejudice are fuelling the spread of a preventable disease.
World AIDS Day is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV and AIDS. This year, it's up to you, me and us to stop the spread of HIV and end prejudice.
A few weeks ago, my daughter and I had the pleasure of seeing the off-Broadway show Rent -- it's an amazing musical that just reminds you about a disease that many of us have perhaps become complacent about. I spoke to Shelley Morrison, from Will & Grace who does a lot of work for AIDS organizations about this and she said that it was because people think that the medications will take care of the disease now so they aren't worried about preventing it as much. Prevention and awareness are still vitally important to stopping this horrific disease.
In honor of the cast of Rent, who has raised millions for AIDS, make a donation, volunteer your time, send a gift to an AIDS patient, or do SOMETHING today for someone with AIDS. Visit Broadway Cares for more information.
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