Article Last Updated: 12/30/2005 06:04:15 PM

Miles to go

By Ali Reed, CBS 11 News Reporter

There is an outpouring of support for a four-time Iditarod champion struggling with leukemia as Alaskans across the state offer the musher a part of themselves. Susan Butcher's longtime sponsor, GCI, teamed up with the Blood Bank of Alaska for a statewide blood and bone marrow drive. While Butcher is in Seattle receiving treatment for her cancer, her Alaskan friends and supporters were thinking about her here today.

"I just think it's a wonderful show of support for Susan Butcher and also for Michael Donaldson," said Margaret Baker of the Blood Bank of Alaska.

It's a way for the community to come together to show their support for Butcher and 30-year-old Alaskan, Michael Donaldson--both of whom are battling acute myelogenous leukemia.

"I've had phone calls from other locations just saying they're incredibly busy, steady. And people are really enthusiastic to get on the registry," said Baker.

Which would help benefit other cancer patients throughout the country looking for bone marrow transplants as well. CBS 11 caught up with Butcher's husband, David Monson, to see how Butcher is doing. She just finished her round of chemotherapy and is awaiting test results to see if the cancer is in remission--which would allow the blood transplant to go forward.

"She's in remarkable good spirits. Her appetite is returning now, as is her immune system. And so we're hopeful this is the last step in the beginning of this journey. And now we go into the next part of the journey," said Monson.

"Let's us know just how vulnerable we all are and how we as a community can join together and maybe help folks out," said Captain Bill Green of the Anchorage Fire Department.

And the community showed up in numbers. John Dahlen had his blood tested today. He's worked for the Iditarod and has known Butcher for twenty years. He says hearing about her diagnosis really caught his attention and he was surprised to find out how there is such a need for blood donors.

"In spreading the word to my other friends, I found out that two other people I know are in rooms right next to hers who are waiting for recipients also. So it's kind of a hidden need where the more you look into it, the more you find out how important it is," said Dahlen.

"Well it's a worthy cause. It really is. Not sure why I hadn't done it in the past. It's just this was a good reminder and a good time," said Captain Bill Green of the Anchorage Fire Department.

A good time to show Butcher how her fellow Alaskans are thinking of her and hopes she beats this battle.

"Oh! Just amazing. I mean she's an inspiration, totally. Class act, and she's a winner," said Dahlen.

And Butcher's family couldn't be more grateful for the community's show of support.

"We're very grateful for not only us, but for everyone else in the future who will have a chance to get that gift from them," said Monson.

If you would like to leave well wishes, you can go to: susanbutcher.com

To get on the blood marrow registry, you need to fill out an information packet (20 minutes) and draw one tube of blood (process takes about an hour). If you're a potential match, you have further testing. If that goes well, there's the blood marrow donated for the transplant.

For more information: Blood Bank of Alaska

To contact Ali, call 907-273-3137