Dallas firefighter-dispatcher with cancer organizes blood drive

DALLAS — Early Monday morning, two trailers from Carter Blood Care pulled into the Dallas Fire Department Training Center on Dolphin Road. Just exterior the parked buses, a tent was pitched with stem cell donor kits from Be The Match.

Over the subsequent 5 hours, dozens of individuals confirmed as much as donate blood and swab their cheeks in honor of Tracy Murphy.

Murphy has been with Dallas Fire Rescue for 29 years. She spent 10 years working within the area and the final 19 years in dispatch.

In July earlier than her sixtieth birthday, Murphy was recognized with acute myeloid leukemia. She’s present process chemotherapy, however Murphy stated her physique has been proof against remedy. 

Murphy will ultimately want a stem cell transplant.

Murphy’s sister, Paige Graves, helped her run the occasion since Murphy has a weakened immune system and wishes to remain wholesome. 

Graves, watching her sister undergo remedy, sees the necessity for donors. “They will actually tell us to book appointments in the morning because if you don’t get blood in the morning, we may run out,” stated Graves.

Rookies, cadets, active-duty and retired firefighters all confirmed up for the occasion. They gathered 57 blood donations for Carter Blood Care and 21 cheek swabs for Be The Match in 5 hours.

Murphy’s greatest pal, Kim Rieder, is not shocked that Murphy insisted on organizing the blood drive, even with the whole lot she goes by way of. 

Rieder stated, “She gives and gives and gives. She’s funny. She’s sweet. She’s smart. She is generous to a fault.” 

She stated it is simple to provide again to somebody who offers a lot.

Cancer does not outline Murphy. Instead, it offers her purpose to selflessly serve.

If you’d prefer to take part in Murphy’s stem cell donor drive, textual content TracysMatch4Life to 61474 or click here. A swab equipment shall be mailed to you. 

Be The Match is searching for donors who’re 18 to 40 years outdated.