IMPORTANT: ‘VGR’ Creator Matt Lewis Needs Our Help

[Jayson.Street]

Re: IMPORTANT: ‘VGR’ Creator Matt Lewis Needs Our Help

The update that was promised but not everything is final.

1. We have a Blood Center that has agreed to hold a blood drive at the Rio for Fri & Sat
2. We are still working on the issue of space the DEFCON Crew are trying their best to accommodate the sudden need of an extra 1000 sqr ft the donor area would require.
3. Geo S is also looking at the Rio for a possible alternate site to host the blood drive.
4. While there is a valiant efforts being made by everyone the fact is the blood drive onsite might not be able to happen on such short notice.
5. BUT! We will have the #BloodKode Challenge where we have people donating before DEFCON & bringing proof they donated for BarKode with the chance to win * fabulous* prizes ~;-) The Grand Prize is of course is BarKode being better we will never lose sight of that!
6. We will post rules & full details of everything next week after we get confirmation of a few loose ends.
7.If you have prizes you are willing to donate or willing to get a mohawk if the goal is reached please let me know.
8.wish list for prizes;
1 Ninja party badge
2 T-Shirts
3 Books (would be nice if signed by author)
4 Swag
5 anything else I haven't thought of ~:-)

Lets DO THIS!! ~:-)

[Jayson.Street]

Re: IMPORTANT: ‘VGR’ Creator Matt Lewis Needs Our Help

Finalizing details of the impromptu Contest/Blood Drive will post details Friday night looks like some blood will get you a chance to win fabulous prizes & the chance to see people you may not know in the community get a Mohawk (though the best prize is a healthy BarKode) ~;-) #BloodKode

[eris]

Re: IMPORTANT: ‘VGR’ Creator Matt Lewis Needs Our Help

Please continue to check the tumblr for updates and please consider donating blood or becoming a marrow donor. It's just the right thing to do and you may be a match.

He's GOING HOME today! Victory for Zim, er Barkode!


While this probably means he is "out of the woods" for a little while, he still needs care, meds, and a bone marrow transplant. It is only his lungs that are well enough to release him from current hospitalization. He still needs help. Please read above and keep it in mind.

If you search #BloodKode on Twitter you will be able to follow an ongoing conversation regarding a drive for assistance (blood donor, marrow donor) at Def Con or in Vegas at the time of Def Con. @deviantollam is organizing this one. Keep in touch.

[eris]

Re: IMPORTANT: ‘VGR’ Creator Matt Lewis Needs Our Help

IMPORTANT: ‘VGR’ Creator Matt Lewis Needs Our Help

Lots of people know Barkode. He is one of the masterminds behind the ever popular, invite only, Ninja Networks Party held every year at DefCon. He codes those fantastic badges we all covet so much each year. He’s one of only two “ginger” Goons.

Consider this a retraction of some bad information I received. Barkode has never been a Goon. My mistake, my apologies.

Please continue to check the tumblr for updates and please consider donating blood or becoming a marrow donor. It's just the right thing to do and you may be a match.

[eris]

Re: IMPORTANT: ‘VGR’ Creator Matt Lewis Needs Our Help

Gotcha... Yeah, that's lame.

Until the FDA changes it's guidelines I am going to guess it affects funding and grant possibilities if they don't toe the party line. No less lame.

[Grendel]

Re: IMPORTANT: ‘VGR’ Creator Matt Lewis Needs Our Help

http://www.marrow.org/JOIN/Med_Guide...Men/index.html

He was referring to that when he said "outdated lifestyle rules".

Gotcha... Yeah, that's lame.

[HighWiz]

Re: IMPORTANT: ‘VGR’ Creator Matt Lewis Needs Our Help

A lot of the rules surrounding donating blood do not hold true with donating marrow - there are a list of things that can prevent someone from being selected to donate stem cells, and a list can be found below. However, there is a medical examination process for potential donors that plays an important role in deciding whether or not someone can donate.

But again, the rules for donating blood do no translate to donating marrow... common question / misconception.

Here's a link that identifies potential disqualifications:

http://www.marrow.org/JOIN/Med_Guide...oin/index.html

http://www.marrow.org/JOIN/Med_Guide...Men/index.html

He was referring to that when he said "outdated lifestyle rules".

[Jayson.Street]

Re: IMPORTANT: ‘VGR’ Creator Matt Lewis Needs Our Help

A #bloodKode update we are setting up final details for the blood drive at #DEFCON (still not 100% certain) PLUS a way for ppl who have already given to be included in a raffle for prizes at #DEFCON stay tuned for more info hopefully soon! ~:-)

Also if you are a speaker and/or author who would like to join in the drive with prizes or getting a mohawk as well please let me know

Thanks

[Grendel]

Re: IMPORTANT: ‘VGR’ Creator Matt Lewis Needs Our Help

I registered with the bone marrow folks at DefCon last year. Does that automatically get me into the pool for Matt, or should I register again somewhere else?

Yes - you are automatically in the pool for Matt, and anyone else in need of a marrow donor. No need to register again elsewhere - you're in the system. I received my call/letter to donate marrow five years after I signed up, so they definitely keep you around and in the mix.

[Grendel]

Re: IMPORTANT: ‘VGR’ Creator Matt Lewis Needs Our Help

does Be The Match have outdated lifestyle rules and regs like Red Cross does for blood donation?

A lot of the rules surrounding donating blood do not hold true with donating marrow - there are a list of things that can prevent someone from being selected to donate stem cells, and a list can be found below. However, there is a medical examination process for potential donors that plays an important role in deciding whether or not someone can donate.

But again, the rules for donating blood do no translate to donating marrow... common question / misconception.

Here's a link that identifies potential disqualifications:

http://www.marrow.org/JOIN/Med_Guide...oin/index.html

[eris]

Re: IMPORTANT: ‘VGR’ Creator Matt Lewis Needs Our Help

As to be expected, second hand medical knowledge regarding Barkode is getting a little bit garbled along the way but is mostly still true and good. Here's a little note from him.

"Saw a misleading post today about my lung issues, need to clarify that there are a number of things going on in tandem, PNH being the core diagnosis. I also have a partially collapsed left lung and growths inside. Still no diagnosis on that, still in hospital. Will try to write a big note soon. Lots of things need clarification. Appreciate everyone's support more than I can express right now."

Keep up the good thoughts, deeds, and actions, folks, he's not out of the woods yet but it is a good sign he was able to check in and send a note your way.

I think this might be a good time to say I don't speak to him personally, nor do I speak in person to any of the people that have spent anxious days by his bedside. I merely repost updates and information I receive along the way from people that do see him or speak to him as they share online. I do not speak FOR him or anyone who is intimately involved in the process. I only monitor the update tumblr and his facebook and update what seems needful. Anyone is free to chime in with additional information or correct anything I might share if it is incorrect.

As always, if you can, give blood, to a Kaiser direct replacement donor site if you can, to Red Cross if you can't, and consider being a bone marrow donor.

[eris]

Re: IMPORTANT: ‘VGR’ Creator Matt Lewis Needs Our Help

Good news everyone! His lung issue is only an infection! And he might get to go home in a week! Update here.

This only means the ADDITIONAL medical issue of what was wrong with his lungs is essentially solved/cured. The blood thing is still there of course. That requires a bone marrow transplant to cure and that will be awhile.


INTERNATIONAL donor SITES

http://www.bmdw.org/

http://www.crir.org/

Many more showed up with a simple Google search for "bone marrow registry international" search string.


Deviant, I had not been following the hash tag, but I am now. Looks like it could be a great tie in with Mohawk Con. Maybe someone should tell them. :D #BloodKode

[surbo]

Re: IMPORTANT: ‘VGR’ Creator Matt Lewis Needs Our Help

DT was asking about putting up a cardboard cut out of Matt. Anyone have any good pics?

The only good one I have is =)

has anyone else been following the #BloodKode discussion on Twitter? Jayson Street has laid down the coolest offer, totally dwarfing my attempts at planning a donation drive on the east coast.

DT is working on getting a proper Red Cross setup at the con space. if something like 100 people donate, Jayson will mohawk the hair that he's been wearing the same way for half a decade.

[jchillerup]

Re: IMPORTANT: ‘VGR’ Creator Matt Lewis Needs Our Help

I want to do this. I tried registering with Be The Match and the other one but it turns out that none of them accept donors from outside the US. Does any of you know where to go for an international/European donor organization like BTM?

[Deviant Ollam]

Re: IMPORTANT: ‘VGR’ Creator Matt Lewis Needs Our Help

has anyone else been following the #BloodKode discussion on Twitter? Jayson Street has laid down the coolest offer, totally dwarfing my attempts at planning a donation drive on the east coast.

DT is working on getting a proper Red Cross setup at the con space. if something like 100 people donate, Jayson will mohawk the hair that he's been wearing the same way for half a decade.