Be the Match
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
By: Janet Ervin

Samantha and Cathy's Story

Cathy LaMarre, five-year veteran of the 24 Hours of Booty ride in Charlotte, NC, is passionate about cycling, rafting, skiing, family, and kicking cancer in the behind.  When this petite athlete has her mind set on something, watch out, because she is a force to be reckoned with.

Cathy’s hatred toward cancer started when her 5-year old niece Samantha Washko was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) with the Philadelphia factor.  Suddenly Samantha’s world was turned from dolls, tea parties, and dancing to hospitals, doctors’ appointments, and chemotherapy.  Cathy refused to sit by and watch while Samantha endured first chemotherapy and later an umbilical cord blood transplant to treat the leukemia.

When the family realized that Samantha would require a marrow transplant, they began the search for a donor.  The Washkos’ church family also rallied and hosted a marrow drive to recruit new members to the Be The Match Registry^®.  Cathy led the charge to raise additional funds once 450 members had been added and all the financial resources had been exhausted.  With Cathy’s determination powered by love for her niece, the community raised an additional $13,320 to add members to the Registry.  Finally, the Be The Match^® volunteers ran out of supplies and had to shut the drive down at 5:30 p.m.  What started as a quest to add 200 members to the Registry resulted in 600 new members!

Samantha received her lifesaving transplant at Duke Medical Center in November 2001.  Samantha remained hospitalized for weeks as she was conditioned for the transplant and then recovered.  Cathy would make surprise visits to the Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Unit dressed as a clown and cheer not only Samantha but all of the young patients. 

In order to keep Samantha’s spirit’s raised, Cathy coordinated a Mylar balloon campaign. Family members and friends filled Samantha’s rooms with Mylar balloons in all shapes, colors and sizes.  Cathy had figured out when the balloons would start to lose their shape and would have a new round of balloons come in just in time.  Samantha got great joy out of sharing her windfall with the other patients on the floor.  When a new delivery of balloons would arrive, Samantha would decide which balloons to send to which patient in hopes they too would smile.

When Samantha graduated from eighth grade last month, Cathy was one of the audience members clapping the loudest.  When Samantha was at her sickest nine years ago, this day was just a dream.  The dream has become reality and Samantha is on her way to pursuing her goal of becoming an oncologist.

Each July as Cathy rides in the 24 Hours of Booty, she wears a t-shirt where she’s written the names of her loved ones that she is to honor or remember.  Written boldly in the hand of a proud aunt it says, “Riding To Honor My Little Niece Samantha.”   

For more information about joining the Be The Match Registry go to www.bethematch.org or visit our booth at this year’s 24 Hours of Booty rides in Charlotte, NC; Atlanta, GA and Columbia. 

          
Samantha, prior to her bone marrow transplant           

 Samantha today