Chris Vowels' Life Being Celebrated

Chris Vowels’ journey began in November 2015 as he was diagnosed with Severe Aplastic Anemia. He’s been married for 43 years and has 3 grown daughters & 4 grandkids.  The greatest impact of this disease has been the limits it puts on his interaction with his wife Dorothy, family and friends.  The disease itself shuts down all 3 major blood lines.  He lives on transfusions in the hospital every 3-4 days and the lack of white blood cells puts him at risk for severe infection.  With 4 grandkids under the age of 13, a simple hug from one of them can put him in the hospital, which has been happening more lately.  He is a retired Richland, WA, Police Officer.  However, he couldn’t stay too retired; so he and Dorothy own a kayak shop (Columbia Kayak Adventures); has been inspecting and training for a ropes course/zip line company (Synergo) in Portland, OR; and has taught advanced driving skills for police officers and government agencies.  He hopes to find a donor to not only return to these activities, but to get back to ‘normal’ with his loved ones. With the family’s faith in Christ, it has been very obvious over this past year and half that God has been in the middle of all his treatments and care so far.  All of the prayer, encouragement, and support by others have helped sustain his family and him. A potential bone marrow donor match has been found! Chris is now heading to Seattle to begin the 4 plus month process of prepping, receiving, and recovering. This is very costly with travel, accomodations, and help from outside sources. Please consider donating to the continued life of someone who has helped so many others lives!