Acute Myeloid Leukemia is a rapidly developing cancer that begins in the bone marrow and effects the production of blood cells throughout the body. The results are an abnormal amount of white blood cells. "It is a very aggressive and deadly cancer, but can be treatable," said Holden Buckner. "People with acute myeloid leukemia often suffer from extreme fatigue, prolific bleeding and bruising, and shortness of breath," Holden Buckner continued.

By putting his name on the transplant list 16 years ago, Holden Buckner remains dedicated to helping those in need. He remembers what it was like for his friend Michael. "If I have something to offer, why not give it away? I can't think of a better way to serve someone than by giving them something they need to live," said Holden Buckner.

A bone marrow transplant is not an easy or comfortable process. Bone marrow is literally extracted from the donor's bones and harvested for use in a diseased patient. Some sort of sedative is usually given to the donor to dull or numb the pain, and the process can be lengthy, involving many stages. Potential donors first have to be medically cleared, and then the bone marrow is extracted, followed by a recovery period.

The latest statistics show that the United States needs more bone marrow donors to step up. Each year nearly 20,000 people need some sort of bone marrow transplant, yet there are fewer than 18,000 donations per year. That means there are literally thousands of people not able to receive proper treatment each year. Holden Buckner urges people to wake up and look at the statistics. "There are thousands of people out there, moms, dads, husbands, daughters, wives, who are given no chance to fight for their lives," said Holden Buckner. "It is our responsibility as humans to help each other out, to at least give them the means necessary to fight these nasty diseases."

Holden Buckner has always had a desire to help other people. He spends a considerable amount of time working with the community organization Youth at Risk, as well as being an all-around family man. He believes in helping people at all costs, and especially enjoys giving back to his immediate community. Holden Buckner also carries these ideals over into his business life, making sure he treats people the way he wants to be treated in return.

"I don't consider myself a hero or anything like that. In fact, I would have been doing an injustice not to help out that patient," said Holden Buckner. "Was it comfortable or fun? Not really. But I'm trying to help people, not live a comfortable life," continued Holden Buckner.

About: Holden Buckner is a professional business analyst for a successful mergers and acquisition company in the United States.