Learning to appreciate life on a day to day basis is something that Gary and Bev Reichert have become familiar with. They are reminded of how precious life is by their teenage daughter, Amy. Amy Reichert was diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia in December of 1996. A bone marrow transplant was needed and family members did not match, so a marrow drive was conducted by family and friends. Eventually, the family's prayers were answered and Amy found a match, a donor from Europe. Amy received her transplant on July 2, 1997, at Fairview Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She stayed there for four long months with her mother at her side. It was very hard for the whole family to be split up, especially for Amy's sisters, Christy who is 18 and Kory 14.

Since Amy's return home in October of 97, she has been battling illnesses. Amy has been treated for shingles and ulcers of the esophagus. Amy was hospitalized May 5, 1998, and was diagnosed with bronchiolitus obliterans, which is rejection in the lungs from the bone marrow transplant. Amy has to have a living donor lung transplant soon. Her mother and three aunts are being tested to see if they will match. Amy needs two lobes donated in order to survive. She cannot hold out for a cadaveric donor transplant because the waiting list is over two years. The lung transplant will take place at St. Louis, Missouri.

Amy's father, Gary Reichert, is a 22-year member of the BMWE and is a crane operator in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Amy's mother, Bev Reichert, was a member of the BMWE for 16 years, while she worked as a cook on a tie gang. The cost of weekly visits to hospitals and doctors offices are very expensive. Gary will have to take off work during the transplant and they will have to pay rent in St. Louis as well as all the bills at home during this time.

If anyone would like to donate frequent flyer points, calling card coupons, or money, the Reicherts would appreciate it. Although the most important gift you could give is to sign up to be an organ donor and get registered with the National Marrow Donor Program (1-800-MARROW-2). Amy also enjoys getting cards to cheer her up. Donations may be sent to Amy Reichert Account, c/o Pacesetter Bank, P.O. Box 476, Upland, IN 46989 or to Gary Reichert, 8400 E. 650 S., Upland, IN 46989. Most important of all, the Reicherts like for you to pray for Amy. God Bless!!!

Brother Augustus Hickey, a Newfoundland resident, who just retired last summer after 15 seasons with CP Rail, sent the following letter to Canadian System Federation General Chairman John Kruk. Brother Hickey's daughter, Clara is fighting leukemia and has to undergo a bone marrow transplant in Toronto. This poses a heavy financial burden for the family, so a Trust Fund has been established in her name. Any donations made by BMWE Members or Lodges would be very appreciated by Brother Hickey's family.

In June of '97, while having a pregnancy test done, my 32-year-old daughter Clara discovered she had leukemia. It was the worst news anyone could receive. I heard from my family that my daughter wasn't feeling well, but was not told what was wrong. They did not want me to hear the dreadful news until I had arrived home.

My daughter, being an incredible young woman, decided she would not terminate her pregnancy and decided to rely on God's will as to what would take place. Her little baby girl was born January 27, 1998, even though she had months of agony and at many moments thought she wouldn't see the next day. But her will power to fight her way through this got her the sweetest little bundle of joy. She also has a little boy, aged 3. There's been a lot of turmoil though. Currently, she has to take injections every day and these have real bad side effects. My daughter has been through an ordeal.

Now the worst is yet to come: The bone marrow transplant to take place in Toronto. She has to leave the Island, her home, for God knows how long. Her husband needs to be with her. We have no relatives in Toronto, which means there's expenses for lodging, transportation, food and so forth, as well as help with the care of the children. So a Trust Fund for Clara has been set up at the Royal Bank in Trinity, Newfoundland.

I've written CP Rail about this matter and have asked for any help they can give. Clara's donor is her cousin, Colin Power, who is also from Newfoundland. He has to travel to Toronto and has to have a place to lodge, transportation, etc.

I don't really know what this union can do for my daughter but any effort you make towards this cause will be greatly appreciated.

Donations can be made to:

The Clara Ryan Trust Fund
Royal Bank
Trinity Branch
P.O. Box 9
Trinity, Newfoundland AOC 2SO
Canada

This will acknowledge receipt of the Lifetime Membership Gold Card of the BMWE.

Mr. Davis is a resident in a Special Care Unit for Alzheimer's victims in a local nursing home. I took the card to show him and he asked me to thank you and to put it away in a safe place. His general health is very good and he remembers the past, especially the 37 years he worked for the AT&SF Railroad.

Thank you for honoring him in this way.

Mrs. D. R. (Cassie) Davis
McGregor, Texas

This letter is in regard to Mr. B. Speakman representing labor's response to the Brotherhood's request for investigation of lowering the retirement age for BMWE members. His response was $43 billion over 30 years to facilitate that request. The other crafts are not interested because we can retire after 30 years' service as the railroad retirement age now stands, at a reduced rate of course.

In order for the Railroad Retirement Board to authorize a reduced retirement age, a statute by Congress would be necessary after reaching an agreement with the robber barons (railroads) for an increase in benefits after 30 years and reaching age 55.

I believe the Brotherhood is approaching this thing in an orderly manner when it should be approaching it with innovation and a different approach.

When I look at the age of retirement for bus drivers in Pittsburgh, steel workers (my father was one), mine workers and other heavy industrial workers, all getting retirement after 25 years of service, I wonder how I can get the same package. Fifteen years ago these crafts were given the 30/55 package -- now they have 25 years and out. As a gandy dancer it may take me 90 years of age before I get my 30 years of earned credits. One day in the steel industry is worth a year of retirement credit.

The retirement for these other union workers is paid by the company after 25 years of service until the worker reaches 62 years of age then he collects the pension from social security and private pensions for each company.

Let us suppose that I am 52 years old with 25 years of service and my railroad retirement pension would be $1,800 per month. The carrier would pay me $1,800 a month plus health care until I reach 62 years of age. At that time I would go directly to the railroad retirement pension and Medicare.

We work in all kinds of weather, we work in the second most dangerous occupation, we work in a very heavy lifting environment, ergonomically we are breaking down at 50 like a man of 80 years. We work with creosote, diesel fuels blowing in our lungs, exposed to asbestos and other chemicals we have not yet learned of.

Moses said "let my people go," this must be our battle cry in our next round of negotiations. The demand should be simple -- 25 years and out from the date of hire. No other demand this round only "let my people go." I hope to enter a resolution at convention for 25 and out. Either "let my people go" or go to war.

Sean Daly Ferris
Pittsburgh, PA