Mandi's Miracle, A Donor Found

by Randall Ritchey on Sep 2, 2010 1:00 PM CDT

Jaden Schwartz is hoping that his sisters transplant will be the curtain closing on her battle with leukemia, and that she will remain in remission afterwords. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

As all you readers know, we do not shy away from what others call inappropriate writing here at Game Time. Hell, we have 'Fuck You Fridays' for God's sake. But there are times in life were seriousness has to be looked at. Luckily, it is a positive side of being serious that grabs our attention today.

Jaden Schwartz, the St. Louis Blues 14th overall pick this past summer in the 2010 NHL Entry draft., it didn't take long for the story of Mandi Schwartz to take over the hearts of the Blues faithful. Mandi, Jaden's sister, was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia on December 8th, 2008.

Since Jaden was drafted, Mandi has had her ups and her downs. She was placed in remission at one point, only to have her cancer return and she had to return to the hospital for more chemotherapy. Now, back in remission, the best news for anyone following her story, and especially her and her family, has to be that a donor has been found and she is currently awaiting a stem cell transplant in a Seattle, Washington.

Miracle could be an appropriate word to describe Mandi's situation. That an exact donor has been found for her after nearly two years of being diagnosed with cancer.

Mandi, her family, the Blues, and anyone else who has been following her story are praying that the worst is now in the past. Here is to hoping that the transplant goes perfect and that Mandi can start getting back to the life that she loved before the leukemia started attacking her.

To find out more information on possibly becoming a cord blood donor, check out www.becomemyhero.org and you can possibly become a hero in another persons life, just like someone has become a hero in Mandi's.

Lets keep our thoughts and prayers with the Schwartz family while they all prepare for Mandi's operation.

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Yes...

Hopefully they get the transplant done ASAP and she stays healthy after.
Best wishes to her and her family.

PC Load Letter? What the fuck does that mean?

by DanGNR on Sep 2, 2010 1:05 PM CDT reply actions

It's a day early but

Fuck You to cancer. It took my mom from me 5 years ago, and I’m glad that Mandi will get the transplant done ASAP to keep her healthy.

Baltimore Blast - 6-time MISL/NISL Champions
Let's go Blues!

by UIWWildthing on Sep 2, 2010 1:45 PM CDT reply actions

Cancer also took my mom 15 years ago. Fuck you cancer ! ! !

PC Load Letter? What the fuck does that mean?

by DanGNR on Sep 2, 2010 2:14 PM CDT up reply actions

Yes, fuck you cancer

Took my dad 26 years ago when I was 4.

by tlg_80 on Sep 6, 2010 2:24 AM CDT up reply actions

Awesome news

I’m so happy that a donor was found!

Transplants are amazing.

It’s been just over 3 years since I moved to STL to get a new set of lungs.
This past week, my hockey team went 12-0 and won our summer league championship.

Thanks to a Blues fan, I’ve been skating for two years now, and I think about that every time I lace up my skates, I’ve never felt better.

I hope everything goes as smoothly and successfully for Mandi as it did for me!

Second City Hockey

by Battery on Sep 2, 2010 2:10 PM CDT reply actions 4 recs

I remember you.. and not because you are a hawk fan...

For those that may not remember Battery from SCH , he is A ok in my book.
Check out his story.

Great to hear you are still doing well.

PC Load Letter? What the fuck does that mean?

by DanGNR on Sep 2, 2010 2:22 PM CDT up reply actions

I can't believe this

I’m Rec’ing a Hawks’ fan post. That’s awesome you are doing so well and glad you are healthy again!

Baltimore Blast - 6-time MISL/NISL Champions
Let's go Blues!

by UIWWildthing on Sep 2, 2010 2:27 PM CDT up reply actions

Hey, I remember you, glad to hear you are doing well.

by BlueMonday on Sep 2, 2010 6:57 PM CDT up reply actions

Great News

Had a family member go through a similar situation not to long ago, but a donor could not be found, so unfortunately they past away.

It is great that they found a donor and hopefully it all works out for the best.

BOOM SHAKA HALAKA!

Since this makes me think of NBA Jam, I wonder if Halak will magically transform into a brick wall if he makes 10 saves in a row, ala Wayne Gretzky hockey on the N64.

by TheDarkMongoose on Sep 2, 2010 4:10 PM CDT reply actions

Good luck to you, that are winning your fight!
My thoughts and best to those who have lost some one.
Fuck you, cancer!
Drop the puck!!!

by stlhockey on Sep 2, 2010 4:39 PM CDT reply actions

Do check out the donor site

I’ve been in the database for like 12 years. It’s super easy, basically like giving blood, for them to get a sample. I think I just did it along with donating blood in college.

Then you are in their database and if you ever match someone down the line, maybe someone who doesn’t even know they have cancer yet, maybe someone who isn’t born yet, the organization can let you know and then you have the option of helping out.

So far I haven’t fully matched anyone. I was contacted once because I sort of preliminarily matched someone. They asked for permission to do further tests on the blood sample they already had. Unfortunately upon further testing I guess I was not a close enough match.

You could have the ability, in your body right now, to save someone’s life, and you just don’t know it yet because you haven’t had a simple sample taken for the database.

by BlueMonday on Sep 2, 2010 7:01 PM CDT reply actions