Is hosting a fundraising event meant to help people who have bone marrow failure diseases, such as aplastic anemia, at the end of October brilliant or insensitive?
During the last week of October, we’re surrounded by skeletons: people dressed up as skeletons, skeleton lawn decorations, TV shows featuring spindly bones up to no good.
Personally, I think it’s a brilliant move. I’ve had the privilege of knowing a lot of immeasurably brave individuals who have since died from serious illness. Every single one of them advised me to live life to its fullest and enjoy every moment—including the spectacle of Halloween.
Plus, it works on the guilt side of things, too—catch someone dressed as a skeleton by saying, “You look like a person who really cares about bones and bone cancer!” and they’ll be reaching for their checkbook in no time!
Maybe that’s why the Tartan Trailblazers of Williamsburg, Virginia scheduled their “March for Marrow Walk/5K” for Saturday, October 29. The event will take place from 8 AM until noon. Funds raised will benefit the Aplastic Anemia and MDS International Foundation.
