&8220;Wherever a man turns he can find someone who needs him.&8221;

Albert Schweitzer

Each of us can seize the opportunity to step forward and help a friend tomorrow.

Many of you know Scott Armstrong. Perhaps you went to school with him, sit in the pew behind him at church or simply know him as a fellow Shelby Countian, who like far too many people, is currently battling leukemia.

Scott, for the benefit of those that don&8217;t know him, is the sort of fellow one is instantly drawn to. He possesses a remarkable spirit of kindness, intelligence and a genuine interest in others. Being a good person takes work for some of us, but for special people like Scott, it just comes naturally.

Scott&8217;s battle with leukemia now requires that he undergo a bone marrow transplant, but despite some 11 million donors already on the national bone marrow registry, a match for Scott has not been found. That&8217;s where you and I can help.

Thursday, as part of the South Shelby Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon at the Columbiana United Methodist Church, representatives from the local chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society will be on hand, along with LifeSouth, to sign up possible bone marrow donors.

Even with millions of donors already registered through the National Marrow Donor Program Registry, there are many patients just like Scott waiting and hoping, unable to find a matching donor. You could be the one Scott needs.

Joining the bone marrow registry is about offering to stand ready to give someone a future they might not otherwise have.

A simple swab of your cheek will be tested for your tissue type. That&8217;s really all there is to possibly helping Scott in his battle. There is no cost to you and registering is a simple and painless process.

Scott is in a major fight and needs the help of his countless friends and neighbors. Those of us lucky enough to know Scott have no doubt that if our circumstances were reversed, he would step forward to help us. Here&8217;s hoping Scott can count on us for that same measure of friendship.

The particulars:

-South Shelby Chamber of Commerce luncheon

-May 1, 2008 at noon

-Columbiana United Methodist Church

(multi-purpose room)