Nikki's Web Site
Hi, my name is Nikki. I live in Massachusetts, where I am a grad
student at Northeastern University. I needed a place to put some of my stuff
that is not necessarily directly related to school, and my friend Carol said
there was some space here, so here I am.
What are those green ribbons? The green ribbon represents organ
and tissue donation. Those of you who know me know that I was diagnosed
with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia a while back and have been given another
chance at life and some hope because of bone marrow transplants. If I could
educate the world about any ONE thing (I say one because there are so many
things that are important to me), it would be that human organ and tissue
donations DO in fact save lives - and if you would like to give the most
precious gift - the gift of life - sign up to be an organ / tissue donor.
Bone Marrow is one gift that you can give while you are still alive. The
screening to be a bone marrow donor is to answer some questions, and let
someone take a vial of blood from your arm. (Just like at the doctor's office).
If someone in need of a bone marrow transplant "matches" you,
you will get a phone call and be asked if you still want to donate. Donating
bone marrow does involve a little bit of discomfort, but that only lasts
a few days. And it will not harm your body - you will be able to replenish
the marrow you donated within a short period of time. Think about it - you
may be able to save a life!
Another issue that is important to me is diversity. So much devastation
has resulted from intolerance and persecution just because people are "different"
from oneself. Probably the most horrific example of this in history is the
Holocaust. The number of people who lost their lives during the holocaust
is a number I do not care to think about. Jews, people with different political
views, certain other ethnic groups, and various marginalized groups were killed and/or
tortured because of who they were. It was not really about
choice - it was about hate. Unfortunately, we still experience such things
as hate crimes, discrimination, and marginalization today. If we all were
exactly the same, we would live in a world of mechanical robots - without
the capacity for different physical attributes, to have different and unique
personalities, or even to have our own thoughts, opinions, and beliefs.
It is time that we stop the insanity of stereotyping people, making people
outcasts, destroying lives because of our difference, and even killing people
because of thier race, religion, gender,
physical or emotional disability, or for whatever reason they are different
from ourselves. For me, I would have died more than once during the holocaust
- once for being a Jew, and probably again
and again for my very liberal political views.
(under construction!)
Here are some links to some an on-line community that is an important
parts of my life
MSN Chronic Diseases
and Disorders Community
I'll be adding some more links in the near future...
Leukemia Links
Friend's Web Pages
Cancer Links
Are you color blind?
Social Issues
Plese visit again - this site is under construction!
If you would like to send me an email, click on the icon below:
