Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, February 21, 1991 TAG: 9102210189
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE:
DATELINE: WALKERS MOUNTAIN LENGTH: Medium
Simpkins, who was diagnosed in July with chronic myelogenous leukemia, is now receiving chemotherapy at a University of Virginia cancer clinic in Christiansburg. Physicians at UVa have recommended the bone marrow transplant, explaining that at any time Simpkins' chronic condition may turn into acute myelogenous leukemia. The life expectancy for patients in the acute phase of the disease is as short as six weeks.
Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Virginia will insure the cost of the transplant, but it will not cover the cost of a search for a marrow donor. The procedure, handled through the National Marrow Donor Program, costs between $5,000 and $20,000, depending on the time involved and the success of the search.
Simpkins' family physician, Dr. Kenneth J. Walker, is involved in helping raise money for the donor search. Members of Simpkins' family, including her 7-year-old son Travis, were tested for a match and were found to be incompatible.
Simpkins, who teaches an adult Sunday school class and sings in the choir at the New Village Pentecostal Holiness Church in Staffordsville, is married to Elmer Newton Simpkins, an electrician at Bond Cote in Pulaski.
Those interested in contributing money for the donor search or assisting in the fund drive may write to: The Tamara Simpkins Leukemia Drive, P.O. Box 668, Pearisburg, Va. 24134.
For information, call the Giles Memorial Hospital Department of Marketing at 921-6076.
by CNB