Hilton grad, resident needs
community support in donor search

Friends of Dan Putnam, a Hilton resident, are asking the community to take a few moments to help save his life.

"I know this sounds cliché, but this couldn't have happened to nicer person," said Matt Vidas, a friend of Putnam's. "I mean he really is one of the most decent, kind-hearted people I know."

Putnam, who graduated from Hilton High School in 1994, had just finished up his second year of a five-year architectural program at the University of Buffalo and returned to his summer job at Pettis Pools when he realized something was wrong.

Putnam was feeling pain in his legs that led him to finally take a trip to the emergency room in June. The initial diagnosis was a pulled muscle in his oblique and a torn quad. He was given medicine and instructions to care for it, but the pain did not go away.

He returned to the emergency room a week later and this time the diagnosis was much more grim. Putnam has Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia, a deadly disease that is usually reserved for middle aged individuals.

"The reason his leg was hurting so bad is because of the hematoma in it, which was the size of a grapefruit or softball at the time," said Vidas. "The doctor examining the hematoma apparently said it was the largest they had ever seen in a leg."

They also had to remove Putnam's spleen, which had grown to over 20 lbs. (The average weight of an adult spleen is less than a half-pound).

While Putnam remains in good spirits, and is finding strength from family and friends, he is in need of a bone marrow transplant.

A stem cell/bone marrow screening drive was held at the Hilton Big M Saturday, November 8 run by the American Red Cross and sponsored by many caring individuals and local companies. There are some stipulations to becoming a marrow donor. Information can be found at http://www.marrow.org/HELP/marrow_eligibility_guidelines.html, or by calling the American Red Cross.

Putnam's friends have also put together a web site that has updated information on him and allows individuals to contribute financially at http://dan.goatco.org.

There is also an upcoming fundraiser at Vertex night club Sunday, November 16. Vertex is located at 169 Chestnut Street next to Harro East. An $8 cover charge goes directly to Putnam's cause.

The group is also looking for more locations to put flyers and will respond to e-mail at helpdanp@rochester.rr.com. The group can also be reached by calling 585-442-2222.

Vidas said the community support has been humbling and they hope that it will continue. Finding a bone marrow match is no easy task. All of Putnam's family has been tested with no match found. But the group, and Putnam, are upbeat and working hard to get the word out there.

"We all got involved because we're his friends, and this is his time of need. We're donating our time in hopes that something we do may help keep him alive," said Vidas. "The possibility of helping to save his life and see him recover is enough motivation for me to spend all my free time doing what I can."