Former Coach to Undergo a Bone Marrow Transplant

Former San Pedro High football Coach Henry Pacheco, who was given a diagnosis of leukemia in May, will undergo a bone marrow transplant later this month in an effort to cure the disease.

Pacheco, 48, said if the operation proves successful, it will increase his life expectancy and allow him to discontinue chemotherapy treatments.

“As long as I’m on chemotherapy, I’ll never be cured,” he said. “(The leukemia) is in remission, but I could have a relapse. My chances of survival are greater with a bone marrow transplant than without it.”

Pacheco said the operation is considered a risky procedure because all blood cells must be destroyed by radiation and chemotherapy, rendering his immune system defenseless. Pacheco said he will be treated with antibiotics and whole blood until the new bone marrow takes.

“You become susceptible to disease and sickness because the body can’t fight anything,” he said. “(Doctors) say the first 100 days are the most critical. They put you in complete isolation because the body has to avoid infection.”

The bone marrow will come from one of Pacheco’s nine brothers, Robert, 36, a captain for the Los Angeles Fire Department. Pacheco is scheduled to enter Kaiser Sunset Hospital in Hollywood on Sept. 17.

Although he was hospitalized a few times this summer when his condition worsened, Pacheco returned to his job as a physical education teacher at San Pedro on Aug 16. Friends say he has lost considerable weight, but appears in good spirits.

“He’s the same old Henry,” said Michael Walsh, San Pedro’s new football coach. “He’s been very upbeat and positive. Hopefully (the operation) will work out and he will recover. There’s always a chance.”

Pacheco said this is the first time in “at least 20 years” that he has not been involved in coaching prep football.

“I don’t miss it right now,” he said. “I have other things on my mind than football. My health is the most important thing.”