Marrow Drive Launched for Stricken Officer
Los Angeles Police Chief Willie L. Williams and other department members are asking the public to register as bone marrow donors and donate money in an effort that could save the life of Officer Diane Alonzo.
Alonzo, 38, works in the Rampart Division, which patrols the Westlake district. She has terminal leukemia and could die in four to six months if she does not receive a bone marrow transplant.
“We need tens of thousands of people to come forward and be tested,” Williams said, noting that he had recently been typed.
The LAPD is raising funds to have its own marrow drive, which costs $45 per registrant. Any additional funds will be donated to Alonzo’s family for the holiday season. A single parent, Alonzo has four children, ages 9 to 16.
Doctors say there is a 1-in-30,000 chance of a bone marrow match.
For additional information on the fund, call (213) 485-4060. For locations and dates of bone marrow drives, call (800) 843-2949.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
