A Challenge to Help the Mikeys (St Jude)

Various [Newspapers/TV] | January 7th, 2008 | vanity

[topher]

One interesting story of the BCS Championship game is that of Mikey Conger and LSU Left Tackle Ciron Black.

For a few links on the story:

Freerepublic: Mikey's hero (good sports story)

Yahoo Sports: Mikey's Hero [by Jason King]

KLTV TV 7: LSU's [Ciron]Black Inspires, Befriends Ailing Tiger Fan

These stories are about a boy with Leukemia and a football player he looks up to: Ciron Black. Both wore the Jersey No. 70 while playing football.

Mikey Conger is in Saint Jude's Hospital in Memphis, TN. Ciron Black will be in New Orleans tonight for the BCS Championship game. Others have been touched by the story of Ciron Black reaching out to Mikey to try to help the youngster...

Though Ciron is up to a tough challenge in his life, that of winning a national championship, Mikey's challenge is tougher...

You see Mikey will have trouble just seeing the game tonight because of problems with his chemotherapy. His sight has been impaired by the chemotherapy. He is also having trouble hearing -- also because of the chemotherapy...

But there is a challenge that both LSU and Ohio State can undertake the day after the football game: to give blood, red blood cells, and blood platelets for people such as Mikey... One can give a pint of blood, plus red blood cells, and blood platelets -- all in one sitting. It is not an easy thing to do, but if one is physically fit, one might be able to donate all three.

However, if one is going to compete this spring athletically, it might preclude donations of certain types.

For example, it is possible to give a double donation at one time: red blood cells as well as a pint of blood. But such a donation will deprive the body of the ability to get oxygen to all of the cells. One doing a double donation should be healthy. Additionally, it might take a few months to replenish the red blood cells.

It is even possible to do a triple donation: red blood cells, a pint of blood and blood platelets.

So the gauntlet is laid down to the NCAA and the football teams to help people like Mikey by donating blood platelets, red blood cells, and blood -- to the children in St. Jude's Hospital and for children and others around the country...

Mikey Conger can appreciate what this means to him and others -- it might mean the difference between life and death...

It is good for people like Ciron Black to provide strong emotional support as well as spiritual support [Ciron was raised in a strong environment where he had no trouble going to church and has a firm belief in God].

The spiritual and emotional support are important. But the donation of blood, red blood cells, blood platelets, and even bone marrow can help the Mikey's of the world...

Who will win this battle? Tonight is all about a football game: LSU vs OSU. But Mikey's battle is a far more important struggle: that between life and death...

[topher]

There is too much non-sense in sports today.

If football players want to prove they are real men, then they can do a triple donation tomorrow, or a double donation -- at their local blood bank.

Being short quite a few red blood cells can literally leave one out of breath... I know because I gave a double donation a month ago, and I am much easier winded than I was before...

You have to be tough to donate blood. And you have to be able to pass the questions that one is asked -- which can be tougher...

[SeafoodGumbo]

This is the note Ciron Black left at Mikey's website:

Hey Michael, I recently saw your story and wanted to have the honor to write in your guest book. My name is Ciron Black. I am the left tackle for the LSU tigers football team, im also number 70 and I saw you wearing that jersey number, that's a great number by the way:). You know some people see us as heroes because of how we play but the truth is people like yourself are the real heroes. I see all the small problems I face are nothing compared to the hardships that you may go through. God has a plain for all of us and for some reason he put it on my heart to write you tonight...if it is at all possible I would love to talk to you. My number is #%$^%^&$#% anytime day or night if you need someone to talk to. Hang in there buddy and just know that anything is possible through Christ.

Your Friend,
Ciron Black

P.S. I would love to write your name on my wrist tape as I get ready to take the field on Jan. 7th for the national championship. Let me know if that is ok.

God bless Mikey and Ciron.

and Geaux Tigers!

[jdm]

Good for you. I did a double donation two weeks ago myself. My lips started vibrating during the donation and the girl taking my blood said that’s normal. I felt drained for a while.

[topher]

Your body has less ability to feed the cells, as red blood cells carry oxygen and food (I think they carry both)...

I was somewhat cold after giving, which is also normal...

Like I say, it takes a real man to give...

Certain things can disqualify donors, such as tatoos...

[topher]

It seems now that the game that Ciron is playing for Mikey is almost over...

Maybe Ciron and his teammates will be urged to donate blood for the cause of Saint Judes. There should be a blood donation center at Our Lady of the Lake hospital in Baton Rouge...

[topher]

There is another link from the Baton Rouge newspaper, The Morning Advocate, that I could not post earlier apparently because the site was overwhelmed...

LSU OT [Ciron Black] shows support for young cancer patient[Mikey Conger] -- [by Carl Dubois]

[Kid Shelleen]

Did the little guy get to watch his team last night?

[topher]

I believe he did, but his seeing and hearing has been impaired by the chemo... But Ciron may be able to visit Mikey now, or sometime before next fall...