The Sandspur

Issue date: 4/15/05 Section: Life & Times

Media Credit: COURTESY OF THE BRYANT FAMILY

On February 18, the Rollins community suffered the loss of a an esteemed colleague an friend. Sandy Bryant, who worked in the Information Technology department died of Leukemia. She had battled the disease for 7 months, since her diagnosis in June, 2004.

Sandy was a valued member of the IT staff. She was dedicated to her job and, after her diagnosis, immediately sent an e-mail to her colleagues explaining her illness and assured everyone her position and responsibilities would be covered.

Her friends and fellow faculty members enjoyed her presence and company. Manager Les Lloyd said of her, "Sandy touched people with her gentleness, even while teaching technical materials."

Leukemia, the disease Sandy died of, can be broken down into four categories, acute, and chronic, lymphocytic and myelogenous. Leukemia is commonly defined as a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. It causes large numbers of blood cells to be created and put into the blood stream. The blood cells are usually white and don't function correctly. Chronic Leukemia develops more gradually than acute. In Acute Leukemia immature blood cells are affected and cannot effectually carry out their functions. In chronic leukemia the cells affected are usually more mature and can function more effectively. Each year around 27,000 adults and 2,000 children in America are diagnosed with some form of leukemia.

Researchers are not sure what causes Leukemia but certain risk factors have been identified, such as exposure to certain chemicals, or certain genetic conditions, like Down syndrome.

In memory of Sandy, and in order to help future sufferers the I.T. department has established a fund and will be holding a Bone Marrow Drive and Blood Drive. The fund will go towards an outdoor seating area, benches, a plaque and maintenance fees. The Drives will be held on Mills Lawn on April 18 and 19.

In order to be checked for eligibility to donate to the marrow drive donors must donate a little extra blood to the blood drive. To receive an application for the blood Marrow Registry volunteers should contact Heather Smith at ext. 6363, or show up to the blood drive.

Anyone wishing to donate to the cause outside of this event can contact the Leukemia Society at www.leukemia.org, call 407-8998-0733 or the Blood Marrow Transplant Unit at Shands Hospital the following website contains a form that can be printed out : http://shands.org/public/donate/transplantdonationform.asp.

Any question can be addressed to Deb Williams, at dwilliams@rollins.edu.

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