ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, March 29, 1996 TAG: 9603290054
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: TRACY GALLIMORE STAFF WRITER
Carol Lee Martin has helped people with special needs all of her life. Now the Pembroke special-education teacher has a need of her own.
Martin, 59, was diagnosed with cancer in December and must undergo a bone marrow transplant to have a fighting chance at defeating the disease. She has multiple myeloma, a cancer that attacks bone tissue from inside the marrow.
"We expect that my mother's insurance will cover only a fraction of $130,000 required for the transplant," said Vickie Jones, Martin's daughter.
The transplant will be done at The University of North Carolina Clinical Cancer Center in Chapel Hill, N.C. The center, which specializes in multiple myeloma, is not in the Public Employees Insurance Agency's network of providers.
The center's bone marrow transplant coordinator is working to get some coverage for Martin but it is unclear how much will be obtainable. If complications occur during the surgery, the cost could soar to more than $150,000.
The principal and faculty at Peterstown Middle School in Peterstown, W.Va., where Martin has taught for 21 years, have established a fund with First National Bank of Peterstown to help defray expenses.
"We realize that Carol needs our help. She's a good friend and would have done the same thing for us. You feel powerless when something like this happens, but this is a way to fight back." said Jim Gore, principal. "She's a good compassionate teacher, and we just want her healthy and back in the classroom."
If enough money is raised, Martin will undergo the transplant this summer. Martin recently started the three months of chemotherapy required before the transplant, which doesn't use a donor. Instead, Martin will be her own donor. Marrow or blood stem cells will be removed from her body and then she will undergo six days of intense chemotherapy to destroy her remaining bone marrow and with it the cancer cells. Afterward, the marrow or stem cells will be re-injected and will generate new bone marrow.
"She just wants to get well and get back to her work." Jones said. "She really dedicated her life to those kids."
Martin is the widow of Larry Martin, a former teacher at Giles High School. Aside from Jones, her other children include Amy Jill Martin Williams of Pearisburg, Keith Evan Martin of Fredericksburg and Todd Anthony Martin of Baton Rouge, La.
"So far her spirits are wonderful. She has kept a positive attitude, and since we found out that the marrow transplant might be possible, she is really up," Jones said.
Send contributions to: The Carol Lee Martin Cancer Fund, c/o First National Bank, P.O. Box 550, Peterstown, W.Va. 24963.
LENGTH: Medium: 55 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: Carol Lee Martin.by CNB