Houston TX, this Saturday: A Blood Drive and Fundraiser

It's that time of year again, the second annual Roger Contreras Blood Drive and Fundraiser. Roger had the same blood cancer (MDS) that my cousin Tami had.

That's Roger and his sister who donated her stem cells to help cure his blood cancer.

Saturday, March 26, 2011
10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Gabby's BBQ Restaurant
4659 Telephone Road & 610
Houston, TX 4659

Gulf Coast Regiional will be there to receive blood donations. Donors will receive their choice of a T-shirt. Please note: The blood bus will not be open from 1:00 - 2:30, so that they can process the first 4 hours of donations.

Some of Roger's Current Medications

This is a also a fundraiser to help cover some of Roger's ongoing medical expenses, particularly his prescription medications that are helping to keep him alive. So, at the same location, BBQ plates will be catered and served by Gabby's. The donation is $6.00 pre-paid and $8.00 day of event. It will include a BBQ Sandwich, side order & drink (w/refills)

Pastries will also be offered for a small donation.

This is True Grit. Roger was up with a walker less than 24 hours after his second hip replacement on March 1, 2011.

Please come out and enjoy the day and say hello to Roger who just recently underwent his second hip replacement surgery necessitated due to complications from the stem cell transplant he received two years ago. His Graft vs. Host Disease required a lot of steroids to control which subsequently damaged his bone marrow causing the marrow in his hips to die. It was a painful condition and the only treatment was to remove his hips and replace them with artificial hips. As if he hasn't been through enough.

Joe Lee Sanchez wiII playing what you like to hear from noon until 3:30 on the outside deck.

If you have any questions or would simply like to make a donation, please contact Roger at (832) 496-1453

Donations can be made via Paypal to txplumber@gmail.com or call him for a mailing address.  (Roger has been unable to work for 3 years now and with mounting medical bills you can imagine how much stress the lack of funds is putting on him and further complicating his recovery.)

If you live in Houston please come out! If you don't live in Houston please share this info with others who do. Thanks for any help and support!