Regina Wagner needs our help

Community servant calls upon her community

By SANDY LONG

JEFFERSONVILLE, NY — Every moment of her life is more precious—and more potent with possibility—now that Regina Wagner has been diagnosed with myelodysplasia, a disease that affects bone marrow and blood and can quickly progress to a life-threatening form of leukemia.

The disease was first discovered during routine bloodwork when Wagner’s doctor noticed abnormalities in her platelets and white blood cell counts. Myelodysplasia is not common, with only 10,000 to 15,000 people diagnosed annually in the United States, the greater percentage of which are men. The causes of the disease are unknown, though it is suspected that exposure to radiation or chemicals, such as solvents and pesticides, are two possibilities.

Wagner faces a future that is painful to consider—enduring monthly chemotherapy sessions (five days of treatment followed by three weeks of recovery) or a bone-marrow transplant, which carries a 30 percent risk of death.

She likened the experience since her March diagnosis to the grieving process—moving through a sense of shock, taking action to learn about the disease and investigate donor registries, descending into a dark despair as she wrestled with issues of mortality, being lifted from this place by the love of friends and family and consciously choosing to practice a positive attitude toward the future.

But the uncertainty of that future, not knowing whether she will see her daughters graduate from college, raise children, embark on careers, for example, is not stopping her from maintaining hope that a potential bone-marrow donor will be found. That match might come from across the world, but it’s possible that the person lives in the Delaware River valley. It could be you.

Perhaps you know Wagner as the wife of Steve Wagner, of Wagner Century Oil, or as the mother of Sarah Kate and Andrea. Perhaps she taught you English at the Jeffersonville-Youngsville School (J-Y), or guided you through a difficult time as a guidance counselor at J-Y, Liberty High, Sullivan West High or the BOCES Career and Technical Education Program. Maybe you knew of her service as a member of the Sullivan West Board of Education.

For the many who were helped by Wagner in the past, the retired educator now needs your help. “Students, parents and colleagues can attest to the compassion, the intelligence and commitment with which Regina served,” wrote Wagner’s colleague, Linda Argentati, guidance director at Liberty High School in a press release. “She spent countless hours helping students make future decisions, resolve personal crises and make healthy choices. Her selfless service saved lives. It’s our turn to save Regina, by starting in the communities to which she gave so much.”

For her part, Wagner enjoyed the years she spent with students before she retired in January 2007. “It’s been a privilege for me to work with kids in this community. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it, helping them plan their futures, solve problems and getting to know them and their parents,” said Wagner.

Similar to the benefits derived through this career, Wagner hopes that her experience with myelodysplasia will benefit others battling the disease, all of them potential beneficiaries of someone who joins the donor registry on Wagner’s behalf. “If it’s not my life that’s saved, it could be someone else’s life,” said Wagner. “It’s both a local and a global effort, in terms of who might be helped by this.”

The community has already begun rallying on behalf of Wagner in many ways, including two upcoming donor drives during which people can be tested to become marrow donors (see sidebar). “I’m so fortunate to have this kind of support,” Wagner added. “The experience has given me a new awareness. When I walk, I hear the birds singing; I notice the leaves whirling on the road and I feel the sun on my face. I have hope.” Visit www.giftforRegina.com for more information.

How you can help

1. Visit www.marrow.org or www.dkmsamericas.org to learn more about myelodysplasia and what’s involved with donating bone marrow. Register to become a donor at the site. Donors must be between 18 and 55 years old and in good health. Certain health conditions, such as diabetes and cancer, may prevent you from becoming a donor. Two forms of donation exist: peripheral blood stem cells and marrow donations. Learn about any risks or side effects for each at the sites listed above.

2. Attend the donor drive to join the bone marrow registry on May 15 from 3:00 to 9:00 p.m. at St. George’s Church in Jeffersonville and from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Liberty High School lobby. Follow the white ballons to both locations. Registration is done with a simple cheek swab and takes less than 30 minutes. There is no cost to donors for testing. Wagner will visit both locations to greet potential donors.

3. Make a monetary contribution. It costs $65 to test each donor. Payment is not required to register, but contributions will fund the testing program. DKMS is the world’s largest marrow donor center. Donations by check should be made payable to “DKMS” and mailed to: DKMS, Attention Alina Suprunova, 33 East 33rd Street, Suite 501, New York, NY 10016. Note “In support of Regina Wagner” in the memo section of the check. Visit www.dkmsamericas.org to make an online credit card donation. You can also request a free home typing kit at this website if you can- not attend the donor drives. For more information, contact DKMS at 866/340-3567.