If you are visiting this blog for the first time and are interested in my original post on Madoff, which was read by a producer at ABC News and which led to all this attention, do take a look at Bernie Madoff Screws Leukemia Patient.
And if you're a CLL patient or caregiver, a special welcome. I hope my posts and the useful links on the right side of the page are helpful to you.
Besides the report on GMA, as they call it, here are some other links of interest: Madoff's World is an excellent article in Vanity Fair that quotes from my blog. ABC's World News Tonight ran a story on March 4 called Mrs. Madoff's Money, which included my 1991 video of Ruth Madoff's parents, Sol and Sarah Alpern, at our Catskills hotel, Sunny Oaks. Bloomberg.com interviewed me for this January report entitled Madoff’s Tactics Date to 1960s When Father-in-Law Was Recruiter.
All he needs is a red clown nose.
11 comments:
Dear Dave,
I read your story by chance. I am a 32 year old american woman living in Italy and finally coming back to the U.S. in a few weeks. I am healthy and pretty fit. My mother has renal cell carcinoma, and I have experienced life with a cancer patient. I wanted to let you know, that despite your losses with Madoff, I am not looking for money, but I feel that it might be worth a shot, if there are tests I can take, I would be more than happy to take them, to see if I could be a possible candidate for a bone marrow transplant. I will be moving back to Scottsdale, and that just seems to be half the trouble already, you must be around the Sedona area.
Please let me know, if there is anyway I could possibly help. I would like to.
Best regards and good luck,
Michele Passarelli
michelepass1@gmail.com
Michele,
Thanks for the very kind offer. More donors are needed for the National Marrow Donor Program. Even if you're not a match for me -- which is unlikely -- you may well be a match and a lifesaver for someone. Check this link for more information:
http://www.marrow.org/HELP/Join_the_Donor_Registry/FAQs_about_Joining_the_Registry/index.html
Hi Dave,
I was browsing on the ABC website, read your story, and decided to take a look at your blog. I am impressed with your frankness and the clarity of your writing. I am so sorry to hear that you have been ripped off by Madoff and of your difficulties with CLL. I just wanted to write and let you know I sympathize and that I hope you will find the donor you need. Thank you for creating this website to share information with others. Blessings to you and yours.
Kind regards,
Nicky
So, you've gotten your 15 minutes of fame. Too bad it took an incurable cancer to give you that! Also, falling for this crook cost you thousands, another high price of fame.
Good for you. Most CLL patients die in obscurity. Maybe you'll get a brief obit in some paper in Tennessee when you go. Most of the rest of us won't.
A little snippy, aren't we Anonymous?
I'm not after fame and that has not been my motivation here. I've been on TV and radio and in newspapers before and am the co-author of two books, so I had my 15 minutes of fame years ago.
To the extent that CLL can get in the news, that makes it worth it to me. My media involvement -- and I have turned down any number of interviews -- is designed to cast a wide net and see what fish show up.
For example, because of the ABC report, I have received an interesting inquiry from an attorney who may be suing to allow people to be paid for donating bone marrow. This is something concrete that could benefit patients down the road, though I would like to study the issue further before signing on.
Believe me, I wish Madoff were not the news hook required. But you seem to know how much attention CLL doesn't get, and if this is what it takes, so be it.
David your nephews are trying to contact you. Ricks sons. They may be a match. I just heard about your situation from my son Chris. I will check back here if you can give me info. I'm new to blogs don't know if I should leave an email address. Betty
Anonymous,
I can't imagine what your issues are to to lay that bomb on anyone, let alone David. You obviously are unaware of the priceless contribution David makes to the many victims of this terrible disease. He relieves many burdens with his generous advice, gleaned from tireless study and research. I frankly don't know how he finds the time. I know one thing, he's no "fame" seeker. He is an articulate gem to this community, and I cringed to see your swipe at such a thoughtful, decent and giving man.
Best regards, David
I came across the reference to you in the Vanity Fair article and was intrigued by the Sunny Oaks reference. My mom Ann Proyect felt particularly connected to this modest but charming hotel in Woodridge. Good luck in your struggle with CLL.
Louis
Thanks, Bob. I may not always be a gem, but I am well-intentioned.
Louis -- When we ran short at the hotel I remember running to Woodridge to buy milk and the like at your parents' store. Nice to remember a bit of the past with you and thanks for the good wishes.
I wonder why our infamous "Anonymous" keeps showing up here. He seems to dislike everything said here and everyone who says it. It would not surprise me if, with an attitude like his, he's quite a lonely person and our company is the best he can get.
Denny
"our company is the best he can get" -- I had been wondering why the negativity and outright vitriol coming from anonymous. What's up?
I expect you are correct and s/he is a very lonely person. But if we are the 'best' then we are providing excellent cyber-company!
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