Michael Brecker needs your help

Michael Brecker is gravely ill. He has been diagnosed with MDS (myelodysplastic syndrome), a blood and bone marrow disease, according to an announcementJust as July turned into August came the news that saxophonist on his Web site.

Brecker, 56, is being treated at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, and needs a stem-cell transplant. His wife published an open letter on the Internet asking for help finding a suitable donor:

"FROM: Susan Brecker
SUBJECT: Michael Brecker needs your help.

Dear Family and Friends,

My husband, Michael Brecker, has been diagnosed with MDS (myelodysplastic syndrome), and its critical that he undergoes a stem cell transplant. The initial search for a donor (including Michael's siblings and children) has not yet resulted in a suitable match. Michael's doctors have told us that we need to immediately explore ALL possible options. This involves getting as many people of a similar genetic background to be tested."

Read the full letter here.