Bone Marrow Drive for Latino Boy Set

A bone marrow drive for a 5-year-old Latino boy suffering from leukemia will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at the Panorama Mall.

The drive is sponsored by the American Red Cross, Cal State Northridge, Panorama Mall and Los Angeles City Councilman Richard Alarcon.

Leukemia and other blood-related diseases can be cured only with a bone marrow transplant. According to the Marrow Donor Program of the American Red Cross Blood Services Division, at least 30,000 people a year are in need of marrow transplants. Compatible matches are most likely found among those of the same ethnic group. Out of 2.7 million registered bone marrow volunteers, only 6% are of Latino background.

“There are too many Hispanic patients who are dying because there’s not enough registered Hispanic marrow donors,” said Bunnie Foxcroft, Southern California regional director of the Red Cross’ marrow donor program. “We need to maintain our efforts in educating and recruiting prospective donors.”

Foxcroft said that a recent 18-month citywide bone marrow registration drive in the Latino community exceeded the organization’s goals by 120%.

During a 10-minute registration at the Panorama Mall, at 8401 Van Nuys Blvd., a small blood sample will be drawn from prospective donors for the Sylmar boy. If a match is found, the donor will be given additional information by the Red Cross.

For more information about the Red Cross marrow donor program, call (800) 627-7692.