Great Summer Reading with a Message

'Novel' Reality Program Aims to Boost Breast Cancer, Leukemia Awareness…and Recruit New Bone Marrow Donors

NEW YORK, June 13, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A legal thriller which tells the true story of a woman who battled breast cancer, then leukemia, and finally got a successful bone marrow transplant is being used to educate the public about the constant need for bone marrow donors.

"The Matriarchs," a novel now available in Amazon® print and Kindle® e-book formats at www.Matriarchsthebook.com, is based on the personal experience of New York Blood Center (NYBC) Communications Director Jim "J.D." Fox.  All profits from the book's first edition support NYBC's Bone Marrow Program.

"We're always working to educate the public about the constant need for new donors, and we welcome this 'novel' way to spread the word," said program director Melinda Caltabiano.  "Also, Jim wrote a really good book.  It's fun to read."

Prior to his experience at NYBC, Fox worked in a similar capacity at New York's top law school (Columbia Law School) as well as New York's largest law firm (Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher and Flom).  When his sister-in-law, who lives in a suburb of Milwaukee, became the recipient of countless transfusions to combat her aggressive breast cancer and leukemia, Fox saw an opportunity to combine his professional history and writing skills to raise awareness and money.  

"I've read memoirs written by authors who've gone through what we went through," he said, "But not a reality-based thriller, which could potentially reach a lot more people.  I'm well-versed in the world of elite law schools and top corporate law firms, and I learned about the often heartbreaking search for donors.  So, I put it all together, and wrote a book."

Theresa Fox has been leukemia-free for two years, and is now back to teaching her middle school special education classes.  "My family's story has a happy ending," said Fox.   "We'd like to see more stories turn out this way, and the only way to do that is by recruiting more donors."

About New York Blood Center:  New York Blood Center (NYBC) is the nation's largest non-profit, community-based blood center. NYBC has been providing blood, transfusion products and services to hospitals since 1964, serving more than 20 million people in New York City, Long Island, the Hudson Valley, New Jersey, and parts of Connecticut and Pennsylvania.  NYBC is also home to the Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute and the National Cord Blood Program at the Howard P. Milstein National Cord Blood Center, the world's largest public cord blood bank.  NYBC provides medical services and programs (Clinical, Transfusion, and Hemophilia Services) through our medical professionals along with consultative services in transfusion medicine. Please visit us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/newyorkbloodcenter.  Follow us on Twitter: @NYBloodCenter at http://twitter.com/nybloodcenter.

Contact:  Christine Dingfelder
Medical / Research Communications Manager
[email protected]
718.797.7814 Office / 917.763.1648 Cell
Review copies available on request

SOURCE New York Blood Center