PIKESVILLE, Md. — A longtime Baltimore County Public School's social worker is desperately in need of a bone marrow transplant.
Sue Futeral-Myrowitz is also a mother of three and grandmother to five. She was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia last fall after experiencing pain in her shoulder.
Doctors told Sue that her only chance of beating the disease is a bone marrow transplant.
She doesn't have a matching donor in her family and is now hoping that a complete stranger can give her a second chance at life.
On Sunday, DKMS, the world’s largest bone marrow donor center, hosted a registration drive in Pikesville to identify potential lifesaving donors.
"I’m so appreciative. I got sick in October, I went to work 7:00 in the morning, I was fine by noon, I couldn't keep my head up, my arm didn't move. I haven't been to work since October. So, I have work friends’ people from my old jobs have been here, Jewish communities, old neighbors have been here." Dr. Sue Futeral-Myrowitz.
In a statement, Baltimore County Public Schools said Myrowitz is beloved.
“There are literally thousands of students and staff across Baltimore County Public Schools who have Dr. Sue in their thoughts and in their hearts as she faces this dreadful illness, and all of us hope a suitable donor can be found this weekend through the wonderful efforts of the DKMS bone marrow drive. Dr. Sue has been a BCPS social worker for decades, and her dedication, professionalism, and tireless care on behalf of her students throughout the county has been an inspiration to many of her 117 social work colleagues currently serving students. We’re all pulling for Dr. Sue, and we encourage everyone who is eligible to come out to the DKMS drive on Sunday and offer hope and love for this amazing woman, just as her life and life’s work have provided hope and love to so many.”
Anyone in good health between the ages of 18-55 is encouraged to attend and register.
DKMS says more than 20,000 patients with blood cancer in the U.S. require a stem cell transplant, but nearly 70 percent rely on finding a perfect stranger as a donor.
