Lewiston – More than just numbers – though those are quite impressive – the 229 people who turned out for the Jalbert and Flynn families’ bone marrow drive Saturday at Farwell school in Lewiston made lasting impressions of human kindness and decency.

They also generated $1,140 in donations.

While Jordan, 7, and twins Julie and Jorja Flynn, 4, attended the event, their mom, Doreen, was unable to, but she’s gotten a lot of positive feedback from those she knows who did go, she said.

“They were amazed at how fast the procedure went,” Doreen Flynn said.

The Flynn girls have been diagnosed with a rare blood disorder called Faconoi anemia. Bone marrow transplants will help their chances of survival. The Flynns have participated in roughly 11 drives attempting to find suitable donors.

Barbara Reichert and husband, Tom Jalbert, who was diagnosed with leukemia a year ago, found the steady stream of people who came through the school’s doors impressive and heartwarming. Jalbert had tried a medicine that can help patients avoid the need for a transplant, but it did not work for him. A bone marrow transplant will also increase Jalbert’s chance of survival.

This was the first drive Reichert and Jalbert had participated in, though they plan to keep searching if a donor does not come from this event.

“Either leukemia or cancer had touched their lives in some way, or they had read the story about Tom and the Flynn girls and felt compelled to do something,” Reichert said.

The national average of people tested to be donors at similar drives is 22, according to DKMS, an organizing agency, though the expectation for this drive was roughly 100. There is no fee to have the swab test done, though any financial contribution is welcomed and encouraged to offset processing costs.

“A lot of people drove from places an hour and a half away. I was very surprised and touched by that,” Reichert said. “I was overwhelmed. Tom was too. It was a very emotional day for him.”

“It was a fantastic drive and we’re very pleased with the results,” said Michelle Poliskin of DKMS.

Support and volunteers helped make the event a success, and in Poliskin’s words, “save a lot of lives.” The results will be ready in roughly three weeks.

Anyone interested in becoming a bone marrow or financial donor can visit www.dkmsamericas.org for more information.