ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, March 16, 1996 TAG: 9603180007
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: COPPER HILL
SOURCE: JENNIFER MASON STAFF WRITER
Since he was diagnosed with leukemia last May, life has changed drastically for Toby Marshall.
The 35-year-old dairy farmer always enjoyed work, he said. Now, his work consists mostly of trying to raise the funds that would give him a life-saving bone marrow transplant.
"I have always been the one who loved to work," he said recently. "It makes you think about your life and health. If you have good health, take care of it."
Marshall's father died of leukemia while in his 30s. Unlike his father, Marshall has hope of treatment for his illness.
He is a candidate for a bone marrow transplant at the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond, which performs about 100 bone marrow transplants a year.
"I have a chance now to beat this thing," Marshall said.
But first, Marshall, his family and friends must raise an additional $25,000 on top of the $10,000 donated so far just for a down payment for the operation. Once he reaches his goal, he will be admitted to the MCV hospital.
The total cost of the procedure could reach $150,000.
The good news is that the hospital has found a bone marrow donor for Marshall.
The transplants work best if a relative is the donor because complications are less likely, according to Dr. Saul Yanovich, a staff physician at MCV.
While Marshall's donor is not related, he is a perfect match.
Doctors at MCV say the operation's chance of success varies with the individual.
Neither Marshall nor his wife, Esther, has medical insurance. They have been married for 10 years. Esther Marshall continued to work a few days a week after her husband was diagnosed with leukemia but was later laid off from Maybry Mill, where she cooked and washed dishes.
The couple are relying strictly on donations to pay for Toby Marshall's surgery. Friends and family have sponsored drives to raise money.
Marshall's sister-in-law, Dreama Flinchum, has set up a committee of about 12 people who meet at her house in Salem. Marshall, originally from Willis, has set up a committee there. Flinchum has been instrumental in the fund drive and her goal is to raise $25,000 by the end of March. Her committee has planned events into April.
Tonight's fund-raiser is a gospel performance at Willis Elementary School. Other fund-raisers include a dance at Cockram's General Store in Floyd on March 23 and a benefit dinner at Floyd Elementary School on April 13. The committees hope to set up donation jars in businesses around the region.
"If it wasn't for the people helping him, I don't know what we'd do," Esther Marshall said.
The winter weather has hampered efforts to raise money because events and activities had to be canceled.
Toby Marshall said someone told him that if everyone in the New River Valley would give just $5, he could easily reach his goal. The family plans on continuing the fund drives until all of the costs are covered.
"I just need all the help I can get because if I don't soon get it, the donor could change his mind and my condition will get worse," Marshall said.
All funds collected will be turned over to Gino Williams, Floyd's commonwealth attorney. He has set up a fund in Marshall's name.
Tonight's gospel sing at Willis Elementary School runs from 7 to 11 p.m. Singers include: Carlton and Janice Harmon and Blue Country, the Gospel Travelers, and the Bolt Brothers and Stacie. Admission is $5 for adults, and $3 for kids 11 and under. Concessions will be provided by area churches.
Donations can also be mailed in care of: Gino Williams, Room 108, P.O. Box 545,100 E. Main St., Floyd, Va. 24091.
LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: GENE DALTON/Staff. Toby Marshall needs a bone marrowby CNBtransplant.