A Friend of KY Sportsmen Needs Your Help!!

[westkybanded]

I believe this is former Commissioner Bennett. This was just posted here at work. Please pass the word along.

My brother Tom is in critical but stable condition at Baptist East in Louisville. He has been diagnosed with a rare but potentially fatal blood disorder known as T T P. Over the next several days he is going to have to undergo a series of platelet replacement therapy’s, maybe as many as 20. As luck would have it, he has type AB NEG blood, the most rare. Currently, they have about a 3 day supply which won’t be nearly enough. We have set up a direct donor program with the American Red Cross in Louisville. If you or someone you know is either AB NEG or POS, you are an eligible donor for platelets. An appointment with their office @ 520 Chestnut (which is downtown) is necessary. They may be contacted at 502-540-7102 and the process should take around an hour and a half. You must mention that you wish to be a direct donor to C. Tom Bennett or it will be a universal donation to the Red Cross. Time is of the essence. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. Jamey Bennett

[KYCatBirdHunter]

check me if I'm wrong here, but I believe O NEG will work as well won't it?

[westkybanded]

I couldn't tell you, but this is a VERY serious matter.

Guys, this man has done more for us as hunters and fishermen than most will ever recognize. PLEASE pass the word along!!!

[drakeshooter]

check me if I'm wrong here, but I believe O NEG will work as well won't it?

Of course Hammer would know for sure, but I had an AB- aunt and unless I'm mistaken, she could receive blood from any RH negative type (A-, B-, O- and AB-). That could be only in the case of red blood cells though and not platelets or plasma.

[turk2di]

Saddened to read of this. Prayers go out for a speedy recovery!

[westkybanded]

Bump to the top. It's getting worse and worse..

Dear all:


My friend Tom Bennett (oldest son of Tommie Bennett for those of you who know her) is in critical condition. He has been diagnosed with the rare blood disorder TTP, although there is a new thought today from a different physician that he could have a tick-related illness. Currently he is on a ventilator, on dialysis because his kidneys are not functioning, and in a medically induced coma. HE MUST HAVE PLASMA REPLACEMENT THERAPY. His body is eating platelets faster than it can make them. The physicians have said he must have 2 treatments a day, probably for a month or so if he can hang in there that long, please God. He has the rarest type of blood, AB negative (only 1% of the population has it).


So, the call is out for EITHER AB positive or AB negative. Anyone who has this and is willing to donate, it must be done at the Chestnut Street Red Cross in Louisville if you live in the Frankfort/Louisville area. The process takes about 2 hours because they are only pulling the plasma out of the blood and replacing the rest of it back into your system. The good thing about that is that those who are donors can do it more often than you can when you donate whole units of blood. HOWEVER, THEY WILL BE HAPPY IF YOU JUST WANT TO GIVE ONE TIME. WE ARE DESPERATE, FOLKS. TOM NEEDS THESE PLATELETS RIGHT AWAY. Frankfort Red Cross does not have aphaeresis machine. Lexington is working on getting things up and running, but for now it is essential that as many folks as possible go to Louisville.


PLEASE tell everyone you know that Tom needs AB positive or AP negative. YOU MUST SPECIFY THAT IT IS FOR C. THOMAS BENNETT. He is in the ICU at Baptist East Hospital in Louisville. I heard at the end of today that there is going to be a nationwide plea for this, but I have no idea if this is true or not. So, If you live farther away than Frankfort, Louisville, please check with your local Red Cross to see if you can give there and have the platelets sent to Tom in Louisville.
I just know that this needs to happen FAST.

[pedigo]

check me if I'm wrong here, but I believe O NEG will work as well won't it?

O blood type is a "universal donor" as it is the oldest blood type and the rest are "mutations" derived from it. The plasma should be the same in all blood I think but admit I am possibly mistaken. Either way for some reason the are wanting AB blood type but if someone could find out for sure I believe tha there are enough of us here more than willing to donate blood for this man. A doctor should know if this would work.

[yelper]

Hey all,

Our good friend Tom Bennett is facing a life-threatening medical situation and needs our immediate help. Tom headed Kentucky Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Resources when the National Archery in Schools Program was established and today is still heavily involved with the program as NASP director for government relations.

Roy Grimes, who heads up the program, has asked a special favor on Tom’s behalf, a donation of plasma for a rare blood type: AB negative. Please see his message below for more details.


From Roy Grimes:

Tom was admitted to Baptist East Hospital in Louisville on Thursday, June 26th and is in Intensive Care. He has been diagnosed with TTP (Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura), which is a very rare (1 in a million), serious blood disease. He is presently on a respirator and dialysis and in serious but stable condition.

This life-threatening condition requires that Tom receive daily plasma transfusions. As of yesterday, Monday the 30th of June, the Louisville hospital had only a 4-day supply of the plasma that Tom needs. Tom's blood type is the very rare -- AB negative (only 1 in 167 people have this blood type).

If you could get this information to as many NWTF folks as possible, that would be great. Any male with this exact AB negative blood type would be a Godsend if he would donate.

IMPORTANT! The donation can be made from any blood collection center in the U.S. as long as Tom's family (his daughter) first faxes the facility an authorization form. If anyone wants to donate they may call me and I'll get the name and fax number to the family: Roy Grimes, (502) 600-2053

Address:
Baptist East
4002 Kresge Way
St Matthews, KY 40207
(502) 897-8100

Please keep Tom in your thoughts and prayers.

Thanks
Roy Grimes

[keith meador]

http://www.kentuckyhunting.net/forums/showthread.php?t=63325

[BigBoyKY]

I don't know why the thread was closed but if Tom does need Plasma I am O- and would be more than willing to donate. Can anyone give me an update?

[pentail]

I think it was closed not because the mods didn't care about Tom, but because there was already another thread going concerning his health

see here
http://www.kentuckyhunting.net/forums/showthread.php?t=63325

if you, or anyone can donate, I am sure it would be appreciated

[BigBoyKY]

O blood type is a "universal donor" as it is the oldest blood type and the rest are "mutations" derived from it. The plasma should be the same in all blood I think but admit I am possibly mistaken. Either way for some reason the are wanting AB blood type but if someone could find out for sure I believe tha there are enough of us here more than willing to donate blood for this man. A doctor should know if this would work.

I am willing to go tomorrow and I am O- and he should be able to receive my type, as a matter of fact, I believe anyone can receive O- regardless of their blood type. I need to know tonight, please respond if he still needs help.

[150PandY]

I am O+ if that helps. I saw an email at work today about this also. I hope he gets the help he needs.

[BigBoyKY]

I believe this is former Commissioner Bennett. This was just posted here at work. Please pass the word along.

My brother Tom is in critical but stable condition at Baptist East in Louisville. He has been diagnosed with a rare but potentially fatal blood disorder known as T T P. Over the next several days he is going to have to undergo a series of platelet replacement therapy’s, maybe as many as 20. As luck would have it, he has type AB NEG blood, the most rare. Currently, they have about a 3 day supply which won’t be nearly enough. We have set up a direct donor program with the American Red Cross in Louisville. If you or someone you know is either AB NEG or POS, you are an eligible donor for platelets. An appointment with their office @ 520 Chestnut (which is downtown) is necessary. They may be contacted at 502-540-7102 and the process should take around an hour and a half. You must mention that you wish to be a direct donor to C. Tom Bennett or it will be a universal donation to the Red Cross. Time is of the essence. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. Jamey Bennett

I can be reached at 859-967-3951

[keith meador]

Toms brother is a member here, dont know how often he pays us a visit, but his user name is Triplethreat....Buddy if you are checking in, I hope Tom has a speedy recovery.

[westkybanded]

Update: Men only!

The following is from an email I received from Rose Mack who used to work in LRC. She worked with Tom Bennett in Fish and Wildlife before his retirement. I had contacted her regarding giving blood. Please read her response.

We got word late last night that the blood centers were not taking blood from females, only males now. They say they have to do too much screening for plasma donation from females and that they have decided to limit the donation to males only. If that changes and someone is going down to donate, I'll let you know.

Thanks so much for the offer. We are so appreciative of everyone's concern and support. Prayers work miracles so please keep Tom and his family, especially his daughters and mother.

[westkybanded]

Update: Things are looking up!

Tom’s brother, Jamey, was just in this office and asked me to relay to all, that Tom is showing signs of responding to treatment. He is still not out of the woods yet by any means but his blood count is showing improvement. I am copying below a note from the Blood Center in Louisville; your response to the plea for plasma donations has been overwhelming. THANK YOU!



Statement Regarding Directed Donations for Baptist East Patient



On behalf of the American Red Cross, we want to thank this community for the outpouring of support for Tom Bennett. Due to the tremendous outpouring of care, Red Cross is able to meet all of his blood product needs thanks to generous donors.



Please always remember that your blood, platelet and plasma donations are continually needed to help patients like Tom everywhere, everyday.



The Red Cross is happy to schedule a donation appointment for you in the coming weeks. All Louisville-area donors can call 502-540-7102 or 1-800-732-8772 to schedule an appointment.



If you are not in Kentucky, we urge you to contact your local Red Cross and make an appointment and truly help save someone’s life.



As you can see from this statement, Tom’s needs have been satisfied at this time. However, they urge anyone who can and would to give in honor of Tom so that other’s needs could be met. Please continue to keep Tom and his family in your prayers and we will try to keep you updated on his condition.



Please pass this message along to your contacts as well. Again, thank you for the outpouring of care and concern that has been shown on behalf of Tom.





Nancy J. McIver

Executive Assistant, Commissioner's Office

[slickhead slayer]

Good to hear that he at least has all the plasma he needs. Hope he pulls through now. It was interesting that one Dr believes it might be a tick born illness. I have known 3 different people get close to dieng in the hospital with tick born ilnesses. As sportsman, we should all alert Dr's if any of us ever have mysterious ilnesses. Seems like for sportsman, ticks are always behind it.
Dove hunted next to Tom onetime, seemed like a good guy.

[12 pointer]

I was a Donor before a little Cancer. I have 6 1/2 more years and I can donate again if I remember correctly.


Hoping for a speedy recovery for him!!!!!!!!!