Teen leaves legacy for cancer survivors

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Many in Central Indiana are grieving after a Center Grove Central Middle School student lost his three-year battle with leukemia. Tyler Genneken, 14, died Wednesday night at Riley Hospital for Children.

Many people followed Tyler's blog . The final journal entry tells friends and family that Tyler was "called to God" at 7:20 Wednesday night.

But leaders at the Indiana Blood Center said thousands now have a chance at life because of Tyler. Thousands attended bone marrow drives held in his honor.

With a simple test, workers collected cell samples by swabbing the inside of a donor's cheek. Further testing tells doctors whether the potential donor's cells match patients suffering from blood cancers. If so, donors can provide cells for a life-saving transplant.

A bone marrow drive held in September was an effort to save Tyler. He battled back, beating the odds. Then, this spring marked the cancer's monstrous return. Hoosiers flocked to some 20 bone marrow drives hoping they could save a beautiful boy they didn't know. Tyler and his family hoped for that and much more.

"He knows other people in the same boat he is in, that we are in, looking for a bone marrow transplant, a match. He wasn't able to find one and he wants to make sure it happens for other people. The more people that are on the registry, the more people that need one, will find a match," said Drew Genneken, Tyler's father.

"In these drives, we have registered up to now 2,000 brand new donors to be on the registry," said Dr. Dan Waxman, Chief Medical Officer of the Indiana Blood Center.

Those 2,000 new donors joined the registry in just four months, all in Tyler's honor. Dr. Waxman put that number in perspective.

"That outstrips what we do on an annual basis on all our drives," he said.

Each new donor potentially gives a suffering patient another chance. But no donor was found in time to save Tyler.

At 7:20 Wednesday evening, Tyler's parents watched his body weaken and finally give way to the weight of cancer's unrelenting grip. But others will live because of Tyler's fight.

"And now I see 2,000 new names on our registry. It's gonna be his legacy," said Dr. Waxman.

Tyler's father said he wants Hoosiers to keep joining the bone marrow registry in hopes of saving others with blood cancers. To learn more, indianablood.org.

The services for Tyler Blaine Genneken will be as follows:

Viewing at SS. Francis and Clare Catholic Church
5901 Olive Branch Road,
Greenwood, IN 46143
Friday from 4pm to 8pm on Friday, November 6th.

Funeral Service at SS. Francis and Claire CC
5901 Olive Branch Road,
Greenwood, IN 46143
Saturday, November 7th at 4pm.

Internment Services at Mount Pleasant Cemetery
734 North Morgan Town Road,
Greenwood, IN 46142
Immediately following the Funeral Services (approx. 5:15pm)
(Everyone is encouraged to follow via automobile the Family and Tyler’s remains to the cemetery for burial)

Life Celebration
Center Grove Middle School Central
Celebration to begin at 1pm on Sunday, November 8th
(location may change)

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Riley Childrens Hospital or the Riley Foudation in Honor Tyler Genneken