To the Editor:

I am writing this letter to extend a sincere thank you to the people of Potsdam and surrounding communities.

I have been diagnosed  with a fairly rare blood disease called Aplastic Anemia. I have been holed up in Rochester General for over one month. It appears I can’t make my own blood.

First off, I must say thank you to my employer, The Potsdam Town Court. Judge Mason, Judge Haggard, Bailiff Huckle, Deputy Clerk Marcie Provost and a very special thank you to Lori Hayes for coming in to do much of my job. Thank you for your unwavering support during this abnormal  time. I sincerely hope I can pay you all back for your extra work in the near future. 

Next I would like  to extend a big thank you to my Elks Club brothers and sisters. I really appreciate the travelling funds that you selflessly donated to me. I hope  very soon that Sally  Boslet and I can wander in for a good yarn and a few belly laughs.  

I cannot possibly forget to thank my friends at the Potsdam Moose Lodge. This organization is selfless in its caring for its members. Carrie, Bonnie, Kathy, Tammy, Jenn, Colleen, Terry, Diana, Makayla, Kim, Mona, Mo, Shelly, Shelly, Steph, Emily, Jena, Cindy, Cindy, Cindy, Pam, Larcy, Noodles, J Law, Andy, Bern, Jiffy, Tim, Frank, Piker, Tom, Dawn, Ashley, Misty, Brad, Matt, Matty, David, Beth, Jim and all their significant others and spouses, Thanks. I know I’m missing some of you and I apologize, but hats off to you for taking a day and donating it to me. I have the deepest gratitude for you all. I would be completely remiss if I didn’t shout out to Chris, Paul and Paulie LaBrake and Keenan Hassett. Keeping Matt entertained, fed and functioning is no small task.

Thanks also to John  Jones and his family for letting Matt’s hockey and hunting friends and wives and my PCS people know about what we have been going through. Just the texts, e-mails and calls that have been made to me have made me feel more positive and less alone. Thank you  Stoner alumni, teachers and neighbors near and far.

The last thing I write is more of a request. I have been a proud blood donor for many years. This month humbled me to no end. I have probably received 30 pints of blood and bags of platelets in the last five weeks. The first time I needed this It was a very emotional feeling.

 I always gave, not ever thinking I would need to get some from a donor. Knowing someone out there donated an hour or two of their time is so beyond generous. If you can do it, I would highly recommend donating blood or plasma. It is literally life saving for  many people, including myself.

Thank you again Potsdam.

Peggy Brusso
Potsdam