Step By Step Introduces
Press Release
28 YEAR OLD MAN NEEDS BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT
Robin Rocca travels from Saint John to Toronto to promote One Match
Monday May 25 7:45 pm -Toronto airport - Robin arriving in Toronto
Tues May 26 10:00 am -Robin arrives at Diplomatico Cafe at the heart of Little Italy,
11:00 am Robin arrives at Columbus Centre CEO Pal D'ulio greets Robin
11;30 am- Robin arrives at Multimedia Nova where reporters prepare his story
Press Conference @ Queen’s Park
May 27 2009
2:00 pm - Media Room
2:20 pm – Torch Of Life Prayer -MacDonald Statue – Facing College St.
2:30 pm – 67 College St (Torch Trek to Canadian Blood Services) – Donor Clinic Tour
Robin Rocca’s story
My name is Robin Rocca and I am a 28 year old male diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in December 2008. My life has
since consisted of intensive chemotherapy treatments which confined me to my hospital room for two months because I had a
compromised immune system. In the short term, the chemo will extend my life from this evil cancer which has 70% mortality rate.
My prognosis for long term survival is to undergo a bone marrow stem cell transplant as soon as possible. I am currently receiving
consolidation chemo treatments monthly while simultaneously on an urgent search to find an unrelated bone marrow donor through
the Canadian Blood Service’s Stem Cell and Marrow Network– www.OneMatch.ca
Throughout my life I have been a high energy and physically active person playing many competitive sports while developing my
professional career as an professional energy engineer in my much loved home town of Saint John, New Brunswick. Having Italian
immigrant parents – good health, hard work and family traditions have been chiseled into my mind. I was very fortunate to enjoy
many of life’s adventures, loved to socialize and travel the world. Looking back at my life, I considered myself invincible as do many
young healthy Canadians. However, within a matter of days my life turned upside down and I had to face the blunt reality that my life
is fragile and I had to re-evaluate my life long dreams.
Since diagnosed with cancer, my life has been a physical and emotional rollercoaster ride. Currently I am on disability from my work
and basically everything else in my life. I avoid all public places in fear of contracting something which my body could not defend
against. One exception is the hospital which I visit daily for testing and to receive blood transfusions. I normally have low energy and
sessions of pain. My sleepless and restless nights lead into anxious days of not knowing where my future lies because a donor stem
cell match may or may not be found in time to save me. It upsets me when I lack the energy to climb my three flights of stairs into my
apartment where previously I would race up and down them in seconds never loosing a breathe. My spirit drops when I can’t hang
with my friends or advance my career. Looking into the mirror I see a big loss in my usual sporty muscle mass and of course my
prided dark wavy hair is greatly missed by my girlfriend. Nonetheless, I still have a positive outlook, which I learned is of utmost
importance when living with cancer. I thank the strong support from my family and friends in helping keep my spirits up.
Approximately 700 other Canadians are dependent on others in the world, like you, who are willing to harmlessly donate some of their
stem cells to save a life. I am making many sacrifices to raise awareness about the need for Bone Marrow Stem Cells and other blood
product donations not only for my life but for the many others in need. I am accountable for my life, not the doctors, so I have to
spread the word of need, pray, and hope - it is all I have to live.
Sincerely,
Robin Rocca