NewsUpper SchoolStudent LifePre-K to 8Service
March blood drive to honor Darlington parent battling breast cancer
Mar 8, 2014 12:58 PM
By Tannika King - Faculty
Darlington School will host a blood drive on Thursday, March 13, in honor of Sureyya Kosedag, the mother of Darlington junior Nadin Kosedag. The Blood Assurance Blood Vessel will be at the McCallie-Kennedy Library steps that day from 2 to 7 p.m. for anyone who would like to participate.
“It is always so meaningful when an event such as this one is held in honor of a member of our school community,” said Reba Barnes, director of servant leadership. “We are so thankful to the Kosedag family for allowing us to share Sureyya's story and help educate our community about breast cancer."
Read Sureyya Kosedag's story below:
My battle with cancer started three years ago when I was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2011 on my son's 4th birthday. I had a mastectomy in February 2011, followed by chemotherapy. After a year of chemotherapy, my treatment was complete and I was cancer-free.
Quite unexpectedly, however, in about five months I had a recurrence on my chest wall. Surgical removal of the tumor wasn't a viable option due to its location and, once again, I started getting chemo treatment in November 2012. The goal was to have the tumor shrunk to some extent and then apply radiotherapy to get rid off any residues. Unfortunately, the new chemo regimen applied for three months (in weekly cycles) was ineffective: The PET scan run in February 2013 showed that the cancer has spread to my bones.
Since then, I have been on four different chemo regimens. Some of them proved to be ineffective and some had severe side effects on me. In fact, in one case I was hospitalized for 10 days (in July 2013) due to the failure of my entire digestive system. Currently, the cancer has spread to several areas in my bones.
The battle with cancer is commonly described as going through an emotional roller coaster. It has not been any different in my case. Fighting with such a vicious illness requires faith, persistence, determination, and lots of love/support. We, as a family, are blessed to be surrounded by many loving and supporting friends; a devoted team of doctors and nurses at Harbin Clinic, Floyd and Redmond hospitals; and the generous Darlington Community, who dedicated this year's blood drive to my name.
My heartfelt thanks to those who take part in the blood drive either as an organizer or a donor, and to all who have been with me and my family during our strenuous journey.Your support, encouragement, and prayers will keep me going.
Those wishing to give blood in Kosedag's honor must be 16 years or older; 16-year-olds must have written consent from a parent or guardian. Students in ELA-8 can participate by recruiting a blood donor through the 1/2 Pints of Life Program. Any student who recruits a participant will receive a free T-shirt. Simply click here to download the 1/2 Pints of Life registration form.
If you have questions about the blood drive, please contact Reba Barnes.
“It is always so meaningful when an event such as this one is held in honor of a member of our school community,” said Reba Barnes, director of servant leadership. “We are so thankful to the Kosedag family for allowing us to share Sureyya's story and help educate our community about breast cancer."
Read Sureyya Kosedag's story below:
My battle with cancer started three years ago when I was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2011 on my son's 4th birthday. I had a mastectomy in February 2011, followed by chemotherapy. After a year of chemotherapy, my treatment was complete and I was cancer-free.
Quite unexpectedly, however, in about five months I had a recurrence on my chest wall. Surgical removal of the tumor wasn't a viable option due to its location and, once again, I started getting chemo treatment in November 2012. The goal was to have the tumor shrunk to some extent and then apply radiotherapy to get rid off any residues. Unfortunately, the new chemo regimen applied for three months (in weekly cycles) was ineffective: The PET scan run in February 2013 showed that the cancer has spread to my bones.
Since then, I have been on four different chemo regimens. Some of them proved to be ineffective and some had severe side effects on me. In fact, in one case I was hospitalized for 10 days (in July 2013) due to the failure of my entire digestive system. Currently, the cancer has spread to several areas in my bones.
The battle with cancer is commonly described as going through an emotional roller coaster. It has not been any different in my case. Fighting with such a vicious illness requires faith, persistence, determination, and lots of love/support. We, as a family, are blessed to be surrounded by many loving and supporting friends; a devoted team of doctors and nurses at Harbin Clinic, Floyd and Redmond hospitals; and the generous Darlington Community, who dedicated this year's blood drive to my name.
My heartfelt thanks to those who take part in the blood drive either as an organizer or a donor, and to all who have been with me and my family during our strenuous journey.Your support, encouragement, and prayers will keep me going.
Those wishing to give blood in Kosedag's honor must be 16 years or older; 16-year-olds must have written consent from a parent or guardian. Students in ELA-8 can participate by recruiting a blood donor through the 1/2 Pints of Life Program. Any student who recruits a participant will receive a free T-shirt. Simply click here to download the 1/2 Pints of Life registration form.
If you have questions about the blood drive, please contact Reba Barnes.
