Michael Brecker Illness

[uksaxman]

Sad news, looks like MIKE MAINIERI announced that Mike Brecker has a seriious blood condition and has cancelled current tour. See http://www.nycrecords.com/framesetnews.html
for announcement.
Sure we all wish Mike the very best and a speedy treatment, our thoughts will be with him.
Brian

[brucemacdonald]

Sorry to hear this. I had heard that Mike Brecker had throat problems but this sounds more serious.

Get well soon, Mike.

Best wishes

Bruce

[Louis gerrits]

Hi, There is news on my website concerning Michael Brecker. Including an address to send a postcard.

http://home.hetnet.nl/~waltdisney/index.html

Louis

[uksaxman]

Hi Louis, thanks for the link, just sent a card to Michael.
Cheers
Brian

[gary]

Hi Louis, thanks for the link...
Ditto!

[Nobby Keys]

Yes, thanks for the link. We all wish Mike a speedy recovery.

[JJavaT95]

Here are some details on the condition he has:
http://www.fhcrc.org/research/diseases/myelodysplastic/

Well, here's hoping that the treatments do the trick.

[gary]

Excuse me, but could somebody tell me the source that he had MDS? I have only read the phrase that he has a serious blood disorder.

[TMadness1013]

Excuse me, but could somebody tell me the source that he had MDS? I have only read the phrase that he has a serious blood disorder.

http://www.michaelbrecker.com/brecker.html

[gary]

Thanks, TMadness1013. I went there when I first read of his illness and that notice was not there. I figured they didn't want to share specifics for privacy reasons so haven't checked back. That can be bad stuff and some forms of chemotherapy can be horrible. Bless his heart.

[Harri Rautiainen]

Received in e-mail:
Hello everyone --

Please do read the letter below from my friend Susan Brecker, regarding Mike's serious medical condition. Please spread the word and help if you can....

Love,
Nina Hennessey & Ray Marchica



FROM: Susan Brecker
SUBJECT: Michael Brecker needs your help.


Dear Family and Friends,

My husband, Michael Brecker, has been diagnosed with MDS (myelodysplastic syndrome), and its critical that he undergoes a stem cell transplant. The initial search for a donor (including Michael's siblings and children) has not yet resulted in a suitable match. Michael's doctors have told us that we need to immediately explore ALL possible options. This involves getting as many people of a similar genetic background to be tested.

There are some important points to understand concerning this process:

1. The screening involves a blood test only. It can be done very quickly either at a marrow donation center or at a LOCAL LAB. The cost is anywhere from $40 to $75 and your insurance may cover it. (In NYC, you can call Frazier, at the NY Blood Bank, at 212-570-3441, and make an appointment for HLA typing. It costs $40.00.) Check with your local blood bank, or go to http://www.marrow.org to find the donor center nearest you.

2. Your blood typing information can be posted on the international registry, if you choose, where it would also be available to others in need of a transplant. BEING ON THE REGISTRY DOESN'T MEAN YOU HAVE TO DONATE, it just means that you may be ASKED to do so. You can take your name off the registry at any time.

3. Should you be selected as a potential donor for Michael, please understand that there have been tremendous advances in bone marrow transplants and the term itself can be misleading. Bone marrow donation is no more invasive than giving blood. Stem cells are simply harvested from your blood and then transplanted to Michael.

4. A match for Michael would be most likely to come from those of Eastern European Jewish descent. If you or anyone you know are in this category please make a special effort to immediately get tested. Ultimately, you would be doing something not just for Michael, but for so many more who are in a similar situation as my husband.

5. You are now part of our internet-based drive for donor testing. If everyone who receives this can motivate a bunch of their friends to get tested, and those friends then forward this email to get their friends to get tested, we will have rapidly expanded the pool of potential donors. I urge all of you to get tested AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Any local blood center/Red Cross center can assist in organizing a drive for Michael, although it would be desirable if you can get a large group, e.g. a synagogue, to sponsor it. Should you have any questions about this, please don't hesitate to get in touch with Michael's management office at 212.302.9200 or info@michaelbrecker.com.

Thank you so much for your love and support.

We are so grateful.


Susan xo

[Tim Price]

IF- anyone can help- please take action-info is below.
Thanks.


FROM: Susan Brecker
> SUBJECT: Michael Brecker needs your help.
>
>
> Dear Family and Friends,
>
> My husband, Michael Brecker, has been diagnosed with MDS
> (myelodysplastic syndrome), and its critical that he undergoes a stem
> cell transplant. The initial search for a donor (including Michael's
> siblings and children) has not yet resulted in a suitable match.
> Michael's doctors have told us that we need to immediately explore ALL
> possible options. This involves getting as many people of a similar
> genetic background to be tested.
>
> There are some important points to understand concerning this process:
>
> 1. The screening involves a blood test only. It can be done very
> quickly either at a marrow donation center or at a LOCAL LAB. The cost
> is anywhere from $40 to $75 and your insurance may cover it. (In NYC,
> you can call Frazier, at the NY Blood Bank, at 212-570-3441, and make
> an appointment for HLA typing. It costs $40.00.) Check with your
> local blood bank, or go to http://www.marrow.org to find the donor
> center nearest you.
>
> 2. Your blood typing information can be posted on the international
> registry, if you choose, where it would also be available to others in
> need of a transplant. BEING ON THE REGISTRY DOESN'T MEAN YOU HAVE TO
> DONATE, it just means that you may be ASKED to do so. You can take your
> name off the registry at any time.
>
> 3. Should you be selected as a potential donor for Michael, please
> understand that there have been tremendous advances in bone marrow
> transplants and the term itself can be misleading. Bone marrow
> donation is no more invasive than giving blood. Stem cells are simply
> harvested from your blood and then transplanted to Michael.
>
> 4. A match for Michael would be most likely to come from those of Eastern
> European Jewish descent. If you or anyone you know are in this category
> please make a special effort to immediately get tested. Ultimately, you
> would be doing something not just for Michael, but for so many more who
> are in a similar situation as my husband.
>
> 5. You are now part of our internet-based drive for donor testing. If
> everyone who receives this can motivate a bunch of their friends to get
> tested, and those friends then forward this email to get their friends
> to get tested, we will have rapidly expanded the pool of potential
> donors. I urge all of you to get tested AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
>
> Any local blood center/Red Cross center can assist in organizing a
> drive for Michael, although it would be desirable if you can get a
> large group, e.g. a synagogue, to sponsor it. Should you have any
> questions about this, please don't hesitate to get in touch with
> Michael's management office at 212.302.9200 or info@michaelbrecker.com.
>
> Thank you so much for your love and support.
>
> We are so grateful.
>
>
> Susan xo
>
> __________________________________________________ __________________________
> __
> __________________________________________________ ____
>
> Michael Brecker is 56 and an internationally renowned jazz musician. As
> a result of his harmonic innovations, Michael is among the most studied
> contemporary instrumentalists in music schools throughout the world
> today. Michael has played on hundreds of albums with artists ranging
> from Herbie Hancock to James Taylor, from Paul Simon to Frank Zappa to
> Quincy Jones, Chet Baker and Bruce Springsteen---and on and on. As a
> leader and co-leader of The Brecker Brothers (with Randy Brecker) and
> Directions in Music (with Herbie Hancock and Roy Hargrove), Michael has
> received 11 Grammy Awards ,more than any saxophonist, ever. For further
> information, go to http://www.michaelbrecker.com
>
>

[Tim Price]

Michael's management office 212-302-9200

[Dr_sax]

Michael Brecker gave me so much as a saxplayer so maybe someone of us can give him a little bit back. I´ll have my blood tested. Best wishes to Michael

[greene]

I'm sorry if I posted this incorrectly or in the wrong place.


FROM: Susan Brecker
SUBJECT: Michael Brecker needs your help.

Dear Family and Friends,

My husband, Michael Brecker, has been diagnosed with MDS
(myelodysplastic syndrome), and its critical that he undergoes a stem
cell transplant. The initial search for a donor (including Michael's
siblings and children) has not yet resulted in a suitable match.
Michael's doctors have told us that we need to immediately explore ALL
possible options. This involves getting as many people of a similar
genetic background to be tested.

There are some important points to understand concerning this process:

1. The screening involves a blood test only. It can be done very
quickly either at a marrow donation center or at a LOCAL LAB. The cost
is anywhere from $40 to $75 and your insurance may cover it. (In NYC,
you can call Frazier, at the NY Blood Bank, at 212-570-3441, and make
an appointment for HLA typing. It costs $40.00.) Check with your
local blood bank, or go to http://www.marrow.org to find the donor
center nearest you.

2. Your blood typing information can be posted on the international
registry, if you choose, where it would also be available to others in
need of a transplant. BEING ON THE REGISTRY DOESN'T MEAN YOU HAVE TO
DONATE, it just means that you may be ASKED to do so. You can take your
name off the registry at any time.

3. Should you be selected as a potential donor for Michael, please
understand that there have been tremendous advances in bone marrow
transplants and the term itself can be misleading. Bone marrow
donation is no more invasive than giving blood. Stem cells are simply
harvested from your blood and then transplanted to Michael.

4. A match for Michael would be most likely to come from those of Eastern
European Jewish descent. If you or anyone you know are in this category
please make a special effort to immediately get tested. Ultimately, you
would be doing something not just for Michael, but for so many more who
are in a similar situation as my husband.

5. You are now part of our internet-based drive for donor testing. If
everyone who receives this can motivate a bunch of their friends to get
tested, and those friends then forward this email to get their friends
to get tested, we will have rapidly expanded the pool of potential
donors. I urge all of you to get tested AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Any local blood center/Red Cross center can assist in organizing a
drive for Michael, although it would be desirable if you can get a
large group, e.g. a synagogue, to sponsor it. Should you have any
questions about this, please don't hesitate to get in touch with
Michael's management office at 212.302.9200 or info@michaelbrecker.com.

Thank you so much for your love and support.

We are so grateful.

Susan xo

[saxshooter]

I didn't know what MDS was and for those of us who don't, this is helpful:

http://www.mds-foundation.org/pdf/CEL411%20Factsht%20v8.pdf

[Nobby Keys]

Has anyone been able to take part in this?

[JimD]

There seems to be an age limit of 44 in the UK, as opposed to the US where it seems to be 60. If anybody in the UK has found different let us know, I doubt that I fit the profile for Mike but it seems like a good thing to do anyway.

[kcp]

All discusions regarding Michael Brecker's illness have been combined into one mega-thread HERE (http://www.saxontheweb.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=24842)

[JPSaxMan]

Michael Brecker will be in our prayers until he returns to better health :(

[EL_Seano]

I shall hold a prayer meeting between myself and my fellow sax players. I really want to get my blood tested for Michael but i don't think you can send blood from Australia.

[Tharruff]

Seano,

You don't have to send your blood from Australia to New York. You submit your blood for testing at the nearest place (lab) that can do genetic testing and they can forward the report to the world wide bone marrow donor database, or perhaps straight to Sloan Kettering.

How do I know ? I had a bone marrow transplant. My aunt was my bone marrow donor. At the time, I lived in Ohio in the USA...my aunt lived in California. She had her blood test done in California and just had the results sent to my physician in Ohio. Once the apparent match-up was identified, further blood testing was done to verify the match-up.

In my case, it has been nearly 18 years since my bone marrow transplant and that is why I am still alive to write this...

From what I think I read, each person who has been encouraged to be tested is expected to pay for their own test. It is not free. At the time of my illness it seems to me that it cost about $ 400 USD for each test. I notice that in the Brecker e-mail it indicates that the test costs about $ 40-75. The test is to determine HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigens (?) it has been so long that I can't remember what HLA stands for...) It is the same kind of testing that is done to confirm paternity.

[OnyxSax]

I've been on the bone marrow registry for over 18 years. Some years ago I got a call that I was a preliminary match. It was quite a moment. Somewhere out there, someone was praying for a miracle and I potentially had the power to deliver one. I called as soon as I got the notification and went to the nearest center to be tested further. I'm definitely not the type of guy who enjoys being pricked with needles, but they could have used a dull rusty one on me.

Unfortunately, I did not make a perfect match. However, the additional information that they took on me means that the next time the call comes, it will be to actually test the compatibility of my marrow with the person needing the donation. The next step after that is the actual harvesting.

Which reminds me...Once you do this testing, make sure that you keep your address information up to date with the local National Marrow Donor Registry office. I've moved a couple of times, but I've kept them informed. One of the people who works at our local NMDC says that most of their time is tracking down potential donors who have moved, which is time that some of the people waiting for these donations simply don't have.

[Rob_S]

This is terrible news. I've kind of been away from what's going on in the Jazz world for several months now and this is what I hear when I return. Michael has all my wishes for a speedy recovery. I've passed the information on to all of my Jewish friends.

BTW, what was the blood disease that Joe Farrell had? It seems to me it was either MDS or something similar.

Rob

[whitetrane]

Please go to http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/18/arts/music/18brec.html

(August 18)

Let's hope a donor can be found.

Bless you, Michael.

[Wailin']

If the test was free they'd probably find a donor by now. Cant they set up like funds for free testing so they can test more people?

[TMadness1013]

They set up free testing at the Newport Jazz Festival - thankfully it looks like a lot of people took advantage of it! I did as well - it didn't take much time at all.

[Wailin']

After reading a link concerning Brecker's illness/disease it became quite obvious to me how much saxophone players have to be appreciative for not only our abilities to play the saxophone but the gift of life. Considering if Brecker doesn't find a donor in time he could lose his life. It's my faith that he will despite the $40.00 charge for blood tests.

Maybe some caring multi millionaire could donate a million dollars to allow thousands of people of Jewish origin tests. Let's keep him in our prayers.

[saxfree]

Does anyone know if there is a time table for this disease. I know this is a horrible thought, but if they don't find a donor, how much time does he have to live?

I now consider myself extra lucky that I was able to see him perform live in March. Its really sad. Apparently that’s when he started getting bad symptoms.

After this, I will definitely treasure every chance I get to play. It really puts life in perspective.

[Alana]

I will pray for him.
I am very sad.
I don't want to lose him. as a living legend he is t-h-e best player and as I can tell an amazing man.

:cry:

[Pete]

I will call my local donation center tomorrow.

Can anyone tell me how they're checking for matches? We had a drive at my church awhile back for one of our members -- and yes, a match was found (http://www.udrnet.com/justin/index.html) -- but they were doing this specifically for one guy.

Anyone else that lives near a donation center, get tested!

[Pete]

Duuuude. Just called 'em. There's no fee for me because of my ethnic background (Eastern European and American Indian).

Should be donating on Tuesday. Should take all of 1/2 hour.

[JMac]

Duuuude. Just called 'em. There's no fee for me because of my ethnic background (Eastern European and American Indian)..And who says there is no racism in America today? I guess I'd have to pay extra to get them to take the blood from this Mick ;)

Good going Pete!

[Pete]

Conversation was as follows:

Phone_Attendant: What nationality are you?
saxpics: Mostly Polish (obviously "American" isn't a nationality), but with 1/8th American Indian and about 1/8th English and 1/8th French thrown in.
PA: You're a "mixed race". You can be added for free.
saxpics: Works for me.

Unfortunately, the bloodsuckers are a company I've had some unpleasant dealings with in the past. Hopefully the "freeness" of this will be able to mollify my position.

[Pete]

... and I got it done.

Notes:
* Took about 10 minutes to do the paperwork.
* Took about 5 minutes to have a vial of blood drawn.
* Didn't hurt overly much.

So, I'm on the National Registry, now. I happen to know that all the tests they'll run will prove that I ain't disease ridden or anything: I had a similar test when I was gonna be used as a blood transfusion-type donor for my daughter a few years back.

So, y'all go out and do it, eh?

[jazzbluescat]

... and I got it done.
.....
So, y'all go out and do it, eh?

Good for you Pics!

I would if I could, but I can't. My doctor sez even my blood ain't no good. [Because of an earlier illness. :( ]

[Sigmund451]

Yea, mine bites too.

[jgelman]

Recently visited Michael Brecker's web site www.michaelbrecker.com

He is now getting a 2nd round of chemo and it sounds like he will die, perhaps soon (hopefully not), without a bone marrow transplant. As of today, no match. Today, I signed up to be tested (chose to get a kit sent to my home for a buccal swab), and will complete the test as soon as the kit arrives....hope I will be a match and get to be a donor for Mr. Brecker, and if not, for someone else. Does not sound too bad to be a donor....they now can generally get what they need from blood without taking the actual marrow from the donor. Hope you all get tested also. The web site will direct you as there are several donation options.

Joel

[Sax_Lass]

Please can we refrain from using phrases like "it sounds like he will die, perhaps soon". It's very morbid and quite disturbing to read.

Please be more positive, and that goes out to everyone in the forum as well.

Sax Lass
:)

[chitownjazz]

Not to mention that his prognosis is an issue for Brecker and his doctor and family to discern as best they can, not an appropriate topic for probably ill-informed speculation on a public forum like this.

[jgelman]

Not ill-informed speculation. The family and the management of Mr. Brecker are making public appeals that make this reality clear as they did discern, the best they could, that a bone marrow transplant likely will make the difference between recovery and dying. It was the publicly distributed appeal of the wife of Mr. Brecker that motivated me to seek testing, and I am looking into organizing a large scale donor drive. I can word things in a positive way however: If you all get tested, there is a greater chance that a match will be found for Mr. Brecker (or someone else in need), and then he will likely recover! The purpose of the post was not to disturb, but suggest you make the effort get tested for possible donation....now. It could make all of the difference. Thanks, and sorry if my intentions were not clear.

[gary]

Joel, that's nice of you to want to help. Perhaps you're not aware that there has already been a lot of discussion about this. There were several threads. One which you might want to take a look at is a two-pager at:

[SAXPICS: no longer an issue; I merged the threads.]

[Agent27]

I talked to Randy Brecker yesterday and he said that Michael was doing a little better but that he had a long road still ahead. He certainly didn't sound like he though death was imminent.

[chitownjazz]

I talked to Randy Brecker yesterday and he said that Michael was doing a little better but that he had a long road still ahead. He certainly didn't sound like he though death was imminent.
Let's hope that's the case. We certainly know he has a very serious illness and I laud jgelman's efforts to get tested and muster up others to get tested as well.

[Bill Mecca]

all I can say, from personal experience, is that a disease like Mr. Brecker has, and is being treated for, can turn on a dime. Today is not tomorrow, nor is it five minutes from now.

[jgelman]

Gary,

Saw the prior posts before starting this thread, and noticed no discussion for the past couple of months (last post on your link 9-1). What a difference a match makes. Until recently, I never was aware of the potential benefit to others of being tested. I understand that no one can say with any certainty the course of a disease, but it needs to be assumed that time is critical and next week or next month may be too late when considering a decision to be tested to be a potential donor.

Joel

[Pete]

I'll merge this thread with the others, momentarily.

Edit: Done.

[alsdiego]

M-Audio is now underwriting the cost of the tests, so that shouldn't be an issue. Information is from Michael's site. Should have mine done today in San Diego at the San Diego blood bank.

Al

[Pete]

M-Audio is now underwriting the cost of the tests, so that shouldn't be an issue. Information is from Michael's site. Should have mine done today in San Diego at the San Diego blood bank.

AlAnd, as I've mentioned, if you have an interesting genetic background, the test is probably free anyhow. Contact info:

US Postal Mail Address:

National Marrow Donor Program
Suite 500
3001 Broadway Street Northeast
Minneapolis, MN 55413-1753

Phone Numbers:

In the United States and Canada, call toll free:

General Information: (800) MARROW2 (1-800-627-7692)
The Office of Patient Advocacy (OPA): (888) 999-6743

Outside the United States:

General Information: (612) 627-5800
The Office of Patient Advocacy (OPA): (612) 627-8140

[Pete]

Just been awhile since I visited this thread.

Michael Brecker's website is now advertising that they will sponsor FREE Marrow Donations. Details at http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=media.new&ID=b3eaf3834435cb6aedc093c16de63a13