Natalie Nakatani is 8 years old. Grant & Tammy Nakatani are her parents, and she has a little brother- Sean. Our home town is Pleasant Hill, CA, about 1 hour east of San Francisco. In Fall ‘08, at age 7, Natalie was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). She went through 5 rounds of chemotherapy at UCSF Children’s Hospital. She went into remission and enjoyed a quiet summer at home after having stayed almost exclusively at the hospital from November to May/June. In September, she re-enrolled in school as a 3rd grader, and her brother started kindergarten. In October, she & her family were sponsored by Make-a-Wish for a beautiful vacation at the Disneyland Resort. Things have been calm and after a holiday season trying to create new memories after such a difficult time in Nov/Dec ‘08, they rang in the new year with hopes of great things for 2010.

One week ago today (Thursday 1/14), they received results from Natalie’s monthly blood draw that concerned the doctors. Her platelets were low. They immediately made a trip to UCSF for further testing, Things weren’t cleared up, and by Friday, they determined that Natalie needed an urgent Bone Marrow Biopsy to determine if the Leukemia had really returned. On Tuesday, they went into UCSF. They did another blood draw at 11am and it showed her platelets had dropped further. The biopsy was at 12 noon. By the evening the confirmation came. Natalie had relapsed into leukemia. This has been such a shock to them because Natalie looks great, is full of energy, and there just didn’t seem like anything was wrong at all on the surface.

Today, Natalie started intensive chemotherapy. They have determined that she absolutely needs a Bone Marrow transplant to survive. The timing is this:
8 weeks of intensive chemotherapy, and then the Bone Marrow Transplant must happen at 8 weeks. This is my understanding from her parents Grant & Tammy. There is no time to waste. They have made it clear that we cannot wait 5-6 weeks for a drive.

Additionally, Natalie needs to have ASIAN donors, as she is mixed half Japanese, half Chinese. We’re in the process of facilitating a bone marrow drive for Natalie.

Please stay tuned for the latest information. Natalie needs us!

Also, please invite anyone into this group that you think can help Natalie. Together we can make a BIG difference in this little girl’s life.

The amazing thing about a Christian Ashram and the greater Ashram community is that it really is all about “New Beginnings” .

New friendships, renewed friendships. Inner peace sought and found. Inner peace lost and regained. Relationship with Christ new, changed, broadened, deepened. Through it all, we pray.

And pray.

And pray some more.

Currently our Ashram prayer list is long, but oh-so worthy. Here are some recent additions:

At the top of the list is praise and blessings upon Christian Estabrook and his new bride, Katie. We are so happy for them, and Christian has promised photos of the wedding for all to share!

Jennie Swenson also requested your thoughts and prayers for her nephew Kenneth and family, in recovery from a terrible motorcycle accident.

Thanks and praise to God for his wonderful grace.

John & Denie asked for prayers for the upcoming Winter Ashram.

Susan asked for prayers for finances in order to do her ministry.

Christina asked for prayer that she will continue to have a job.

Reed let us know that Jenny is pregnant and asked for prayers.

Charity and Mike were stranded in Las Vegas and requested prayers for themselves and Ryan.

Earl would like prayer for our nation and our new President.

Tina requested prayer for her grandmother’s health.

Kory would like peace in regard to his new station, and the upcoming mover there.

Judy R. requested prayer for her husbands neck surgery, and for grandson Brent.

Beth asked for prayer for her husband who is having a medical procedure, and offered praise that her workman’s comp claim has finally been issued. She would also appreciate prayers for rain in her area.

Judy L. would like prayer for her women’s retreat, bible study and motherly duties.

Ron needs encouragement, and prayers for work.

Christian is looking for a part-time job, and is excited about his wedding to Katie.

Mike is requesting prayer for direction.

Jennie needs more Tupperware sales and help with her missions trip.

Nancy wasn’t feeling well, due to the flu, we pray for her swift recovery, and general well-being prayer for all other members of The Twelve who were unable to attend the last meeting.

As always, we pray for Louise.