Bone Marrow Donor Needed to Save San Mateo Boy

Bone marrow donors are being sought for a 4-year-old San Mateo boy in need of a life-saving transplant.

In December,was diagnosed with a bone marrow disease that leaves him fatigued and at high risk of infections and uncontrolled bleeding.

To extend his life, Kyle—whose heritage is white and Chinese—must find a bone marrow donor of multi-ethnic or Asian ancestry to match his bone marrow or stem cells for a successful transplant operation, Asian American Donor Program Executive Director Carol Gillespie said.

"We need everyone of Asian, multi-ethnic and ethnic minority ancestry to step forward and join the marrow registry," Gillespie said. "Finding a marrow/stem cell match can be like finding a needle in a haystack," she said.

Bone marrow registration drives are being held today, Saturday, Jan. 8 and on Jan. 14 with the hope that a match will be found that could save Kyle's life.

Today's bone marrow drive will be held at Serendipity Preschool in San Mateo from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The school is located at 3172 Clearview Way.

On Jan. 14, a second bone marrow drive will be held at the Haight Ashbury Free Clinic in San Francisco from noon to 3 p.m.

The clinic is located at 558 Clayton St.

More information regarding the bone marrow drives and home test kits can be found online at www.aadp.org or by calling 800-593-6667.

—Bay City News Service