Searching for a match
By Christina Salvo
Senior Ed Kirby was never one to believe in quotes or philosophies. After being diagnosed with leukemia, Kirby found truth in a quote from "Ferris Bueller's Day Off."
"A person should not believe in an -ism, he should believe in himself," said Bueller.
Throughout his sickness, Kirby has kept his spirits high. "The only way to deal with this is to have a positive attitude," said Kirby. "For me that involves a lot of humor. The last thing I want is for this disease to change who I am."
Kirby, a native Bostonian, was eager to experience something new when he transferred from Boston College to Santa Clara. His sense of humor and smile gained him the affection of many, said his friends.
Kirby is an active member within various areas of the Santa Clara community. He was the goalie for the men's lacrosse team and was inducted into the National Scholastic Collegic Society at Santa Clara. He is a member of the Sigma Pi Fraternity.
Most people know Kirby for his outrageous humor and spontaneity. Kirby's friends agree that he always was and still is a no worries type of guy and a truly genuine person.
After Kirby's friends received the news that he had been diagnosed with leukemia, many began searching for ways to help and show their support. They came up with the idea to hold a bone marrow drive on Santa Clara's campus in Kirby's name.
Kirby's friends proposed their idea to Dean for Student Life Jeanne Rosenberger, Cowell Center Manager Peggy Robinson and Cowell Physician Assistant Michelle Helms, who all said they were eager to help the idea become a reality. The Red Cross was contacted and meetings were set up to begin organizing the drive.
A mix of friends as well as strangers attended these meetings to show their support for Kirby and all leukemia patients. The affiliations of these attendants ranged from the athletic and Greek programs to members of the Student Health Board and Cowell Health Clinic and the Student Health Educator, said Robinson.
That this drive has attracted such a diverse range of people is no surprise to many of Kirby's closest friends.
"He has an extremely forthcoming personality, one that just naturally draws people to him," said junior Kellen Gilmore.
Kirby's unique ability to inspire and unite people has not been forfeited by his diagnosis say friends.
"The news of his leukemia has actually built us up," said lacrosse teammate Patrick McQuiggan. "It gave us a reason to want to come together, to figure out ways to help each other and ignore the petty problems which often consume life."
The fact that the bone marrow drive is being held in Kirby's name allows Santa Clara students to become more aware of the reality of leukemia and the need for bone marrow donations. All the donations made during the drive increase the potential pool of bone marrow donors for Kirby as well as any one else in need of such a transplant.
"It is very difficult to realize that the possibility of your survival rests in one single computer search, but the outpour of concern and support throughout the Santa Clara community has made it all the more manageable," said Kirby.
The donation procedure will only entail a small blood sample, most likely taken from the volunteer's finger. From there, the sample will be sent to a lab where the blood will be tested and typed. If the blood is approved, the host's name will go into the National Marrow Donor's computer bank where matches are found. The university is covering the estimated cost of $9,750 in order to make donating free.
For now, Kirby has returned home to Boston, Mass., where he will undergo several rounds of chemotherapy and regain his strength.
The drive will be held at the Brass Rail in Downstairs Benson on Tuesday, Dec. 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 4, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Thursday, Dec. 5, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.