A Little Background When Jamie Straka of Peosta, Iowa was 5 years old he had flu symtoms and went to the doctor to get medication. The doctor found pink spots all over meaning low platelets. They thought it was a virus suppressing his bone marrow and he would recover. After several more doctor visits he was diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia, a serious disease where the body stops producing new blood cells. The best hope for treatment is a bone marrow transplant. In a great twist of fate - both his brothers: Jesse (3 1/2 at the time) and Drew (6 months at the time) were both suitable matches for a bone marrow transplant. Because of his age - Jesse donated his bone marrow to help save his brother's life. The good news is that after the transplant Jamie's numbers went up and stayed up. The bad news is that they eventually went back down. After further review of the brothers, Jesse and Drew, abnormalities were also found in their DNA, preventing either from being future donors for Jamie. In an effort to help, the 8th grade students at Seton Catholic School in Peosta, IA rallied and organized the largest Bone Marrow drive in Iowa history! Over 900 people donated samples to bethematch.org! While it is unknown if the results are directly related to the drive, a few weeks later it was leaned that an unrelated (non-sibliling) match had been found! The family currently waits to see what the next steps will be. Jamie is being treated at the Children's Hopsital of Wisconsin in Milwaukee under the caring and competent hands of Dr. A. Margolis, a leading authority on the treatment of Aplastic Anemia.

Inspiration to us all! Now that I have been back for a little while, I have had several people comment on how they liked the pictures that I have taken and posted on the web site. Many indicated they had a favorite or two and asked if I had a favorite.  As I went back and looked at the pictures, I think I was lucky to get a couple good shots.  However, there is one in particular that continues to bring a tear to my eye and lump in my throat every time I look at it.   It is a recent picture I took of Jamie by the lake front. It shows him standing there with a heavy and cumbersome IV pack on his back, hospital bracelets on his wrist, and an over sized cap on his bald head.  Despite all of this and despite the pure hell he has been through the past couple months, he still has a sparkling smile.   In this picture, I imagine Jamie screaming "HEY DISEASE, YOU CAN TAKE MY FREEDOM, YOU CAN TAKE MY SUMMER AND YOU CAN EVEN TAKE MY HAIR--BUT YOU WILL NEVER TAKE MY SPIRIT!"   I'm still trying to follow his example. --Tom

7/17/05 New Buzz Crew! Local Firefighters Show Support! In support of Jamie and the Straka Family (and to generate some more action on the website!) the local fire crew decided to join them in their current hairstyle. The middle person in the front row is assistant chief Fred Hentges and he is a barber by trade. So, he brought his clippers and "buzzed" some folks at the fire station tonight. They wanted to note that Tom is missed at the fire station and they are all anxious for the entire family to be back here full time.

More Rainbows Light the Way
	OK! Tom just sent me this photo. What he didn't notice was the rainbow the hose is making that is coming down on his head. . . I think the rainbow signs are now literally hitting us over the head!! This has to be a good sign. I adjusted the contrast on the photo a bit (I swear - that is all I did- as Jamie is calling me the "photo doctor") and there it is plain as day! WOW!! --Brad

The Buzz Crew!
	Photos from Kris Davis from 5/30/05. Neighbors and Family gathered a day of buzz cuts! Jamie had a good day playing with his friends and sporting his new do!

A Message from Uncle (Webmaster) Brad

Thank you all for the great feedback on this site. It is serving its purpose of keeping people informed so Tom & Teri can stay focused on what is really important here. I received an anonymous posting from the site today that read “You are like the wizard behind the curtain that makes internet magic happen.” Well, Thank you! (Whomever you are?) For those I have not met, I guess I should step out from behind the curtain for a moment! I’m Brad – Tom’s brother. Here is a picture of me in my natural habitat (with 2 computers on his desk). Now you have a face behind the email!

I also want to share with everyone the incredible day I had today! I manage the graphic design team for such brands as Sunbeam, Oster, Mr. Coffee, Food Saver and Crock Pot (to name a few). I have told a few people around the office about our situation and the raffle we are going to have on June 24th. I want you to see what was on my desk this morning with a note “if you need more for your fundraiser – just ask. We want to help however we can”. I have had plenty of tears for the pain Jamie must endure to be well again. But it has also been just as emotional to see the outpouring of kindness from Tom & Teri’s friends, family, neighbors and community and all the people (like the people I work with) who will do anything to help. "Thank you" just doesn’t seem enough. But on behalf of Tom, Teri, Jamie, Jesse, Drew and all of our collective families. Thank you! You are all incredible. (And enjoy the raffle!)