Martin's Miracle Story
 "After our son relapsed with leukemia, our hopes for his survival were few. We faced the difficult decision to continue with chemotherapy or opt for a radical change through a bone marrow transplant (BMT). Both decisions were not too promising. We asked God to guide us in making the right decision and we chose BMT, over chemotherapy, with much uncertainty. Fortunately for us, a friend introduced us to Richard and Diane Nares, who had experienced a similar situation. They found the strength to share their story with us, and gave us the courage to face the challenges of our decision. In spite of only knowing them for a short time, Richard and Diane were committed to helping us through these difficult times, and they became our most avid supporters. They were there for us in every sense, in a way that only family can. Diane spoke in front of our church congregation. The people responded overwhelming and many joined the bone marrow registry that day. They gave us their understanding, they listened to our fears, they shared our emotions, and they comforted us. They were with us through the uncertainty, they supported us from a distance and by visiting us in the most difficult moments of the procedure. And now even though the most difficult times seem to be behind us, they are still with us. For all these, and for the nobility of their souls, we hold Richard and Diane very dear to our hearts." --Luz, Martin's mom
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Casandra Nichols
A Story of Courage and Inspiration
Casandra Nichols is truly an inspiration to everyone she meets not only because she is a survivor who bravely fought cancer but because she continues her extraordinary work at Children's Hospital in the Hematology/Oncology unit. As you walk the halls at Children's Hospital, you can't miss Casandra, she is a tall, beautiful woman with a warm sense of humor and an infectious smile that lights up any room she enters. Perhaps her most prominent and distinguishing feature is her bald head that she still shaves her head in honor of the wonderful children with whom she works with. Here is her personal story.
 "My name is Casandra Nichols and I am a survivor of chronic myelocytic leukemia. I am a survivor because a stranger gave me the opportunity to live?he donated bone marrow.
In July of 1998, I had just finished my junior year of nursing school and volunteered at a camp for kids with cancer. When I left that camp, I knew I would be an oncology nurse for kids. In September, after blood work was obtained at my request for extreme fatigue and a bruise that wouldn't heal on my leg, I was diagnosed with leukemia. At 22, I was told that I would need to quit nursing school and have a bone marrow transplant to survive. With none of my family members as a suitable match, the national registry was searched. After months of waiting to find the person that could save my life, one donor was identified. It wasn?t a perfect match, but it was my only option, my only hope. That was all the inspiration I needed to fight the disease.
I received a bone marrow transplant one year after my diagnosis and returned to school one year after my transplant. I met my bone marrow donor and his family in December of 2000. Chris was in the National Registry for 13 years and was never called as a match until my name was placed on the patient side of the registry. We now consider each other family and keep in touch regularly. I can?t express to you the gratitude I feel to those of you who have registered with the National Marrow Donor Program. You can make a difference. I am living proof of that.
I graduated nursing school in May of 2002 and I work at Children's Hospital in San Diego on the Hematology/Oncology unit."
*The Emilio Nares Foundation would like to personally thank Casandra for sharing her story.
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 Stefon Harris
Hope is for Everyone
When I first found out about Aplastic Anemia, I was lost, and then I met Richard through Mrs. Pam. That was one of the best things that happened to Stefon and me, because then I had someone to talk to that understood what I was going through. Mr. Richard helped us to get help with things I didn't know I could get help with. Richard and his wife help us with Blood and Bone Marrow Drives. They have made my child one happy little boy. I truly thank Mr. Richard and his foundation very, very, much.
Love, Kathy Harris - 10 year old Stefon's mother.
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 Melanie Olivaria
Somebody to count on and a shoulder to lean on.
My five year old daughter was diagnosed with Adreno Cortical Carcinoma Cancer last year. The news was heartbreaking and devastating and we felt that our world had come to an end.
We have been blessed with meeting Mr. Richard Nares for the Emilio Nares Foundation. It has been a support in all means; the caring, understanding and meeting our needs wherever possible, but overall always finding an answer or solution to our questions.
We would like to thank the foundation once again for all you have done in making the difference in this difficult journey. We know and feel that the Emilio Nares Foundation is, in brief words: Somebody to count on and a shoulder to lean on.
Sincerely, Rebecca Olivaria - 5 year old Melanie's mom.
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