Brotherly Love: Hope For Heather

DOWNINGTOWN, Pa. (CBS) - A Downingtown woman desperately needs a bone marrow transplant, and her friends are determined to help her. A group of neighbors has rallied together to help Heather Sutton beat the odds, and with their help she just might make it.

At the Sutton house in Downingtown, Chester County, it's all laughs and quality time. Now that time has taken on a whole new meaning, because 37-year-old Heather Sutton is not well.

"As a mother of three, I am often tired and just attributed it to the many activities and things that I do and never put the thought to it," said Heather.

But tests showed Heather has rare blood disorder, MDS, or myelodysplastic syndrome. She will die without a bone marrow transplant.

After hearing the prognosis, neighbor Claudia Roemer knew she had to do something to help.

"This is a family that I've loved from the moment I met them, and you know you're about to take a unique journey in a unique situation," said Claudia.

Claudia's journey, along with these other friends and neighbors, helped them form a journey of hope with Heather, a galvanizing force that organizes events like a community bowling party or jewelry exchange, all to raise funds and awareness of Heather's need for a transplant. Claudia says helping the Suttons helped her learn something about yourself.

"What most people need to recognize is there is nothing more gratifying than taking the gifts that you have and doing something with it," said Claudia.

Heather and Jayson don't have relatives in the area, but they say the group, this sisterhood of support, has become their family, especially for their three children.

"I'm grateful for that, because that's who I worried most about, and I'm grateful that they will be well-tended to when things are hard," Heather said.

The Heather Sutton Be The Match Bone Marrow Donor Registry Drive
Saturday, February 5, from 9 a.m. until noon
Church of Jesus Christ of LDS
1443 Telegraph Road in West Chester, PA

For more information, contact Claudia Roemer at 610-563-5407 or email her at claudiaproemer@yahoo.com.

LINK:
Journey of Hope with Heather website
http://www.heatherandjayson.myevent.com

Reported by Dave Huddleston, CBS 3