This Saturday. a Bone Marrow Registration Drive will be held at Upper Main Line YMCA to support a Downingtown student recently diagnosed with leukemia.
13-year-old Cameron has long been involved with sports, running both cross country and swimming at the YMCA. Today however, his weakened immune system keeps Cameron from not only playing sports, but out of school.
To help get back to a normal life doctors suggested Cameron receive a bone marrow transplant. Parents Doug and Regina were tested, but unfortunately were not a strong enough match. Now they are hopeful that the bone marrow registry will provide a match for their son.
Tom Kramer, the founder of Racing to Register -- a non-profit organization dedicated to helping find matches for patients -- learned about Cameron and his condition Wednesday afternoon. Just 48 hours later the event was organized.
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“On behalf of Cameron, his family and the thousands of others in need of a bone marrow transplant, we hope everyone can come out on Saturday to join the registry,” Kramer said in a statement. “It is such a simple process which could ultimately save a life.”
To be included in the registry and determine a match, volunteers have their cheek swabbed. A processed described as both quick and easy. The $65 testing kits are provided free of charge by DKMS Americas.
Doug is hopeful that the event will help the donor search. "We're very thankful for all the support and help we've received," he said in a phone interview. "Cameron is fighting to get to that finish line and beat this disease."
Racing to Register currently has 2,200 people registered as potential donors.They have assisted in three potential matches for patients.
The event will take place between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. in Berwyn, PA.
Visit Racing to Register and DKMS for more information.
