Ceci Christenson is more than an average teenage girl. She’s also the survivor of a dangerous bone marrow disease, Myelodysplastic Syndrome. Recovering now after a long struggle, Christenson is using her strength and courage to give back to other patients in need of bone marrow transplants by promoting the need for bone registry applicants and donors.

Christenson spent three long, low-energy years out of school, instead spending time in and out of the Phoenix Children’s Hospital struggling with infections, bleeding scares, blood clots and other complications from her condition. As stated on her Web site, it was crucial that Christenson find a matching blood marrow donor. Lucky for her, both of her brothers were perfect matches and saved her life.

Unfortunately, not everyone can find bone marrow matches as easily as Christenson did, which is why she felt the need to spread the word to the public about donating blood marrow. She created a Web site, www.cecisclimb.com, as an outlet for others to join the bone marrow registry and to share her own story.

Christenson recently made an appearance on “The Early Show” as part of a wish with the Make-A-Wish Foundation at the time of the Macy’s Believe Campaign, during which they grant more wishes and donate a greater amount of money to make dreams come true.

“My wish was to promote the need for the National Marrow Registry on a national publication,” said Christenson on “The Early Show,” explaining to a large audience what she endured and how they can help others like her. “We all have the power to save a life.”

Becoming a donor is simple and can be done by going to Ceci’s Web site, having a kit sent to your home or going to a local bone marrow drive. Volunteering and hosting a drive of your own are also potentially life-saving options.

Photo Credit: Ceci's Climb Blogspot