High School to Hold Bone Marrow Drive

The community is invited to join senior students, faculty and staff today in the second annual marrow donor drive at Santa Margarita Catholic High School.

The event is being held to help leukemia patient Jennifer Klaiber, 22, a county resident and mother of a 10-month-old girl, and others in need of marrow transplants.

Last year’s campus event registered 75 new donors. But student Juliana Brutoco, 17, the drive organizer, said she is hoping for at least 100 participants this year.

“I think it’s important for more people to be aware of it,” said Juliana, whose mother was saved by a marrow transplant eight years ago. “

Representatives of the American Red Cross will be on campus to administer the test, which involves taking two to three teaspoons of blood from each individual. After a lab has determined the marrow type, the person is then registered as a potential donor with the National Marrow Donor Program.

To be a donor, participants must be in good general health and 18 to 55 years old. The costs of testing students, staff and faculty will be underwritten by a grant from the Brutocao Family Foundation.

Minorities will be tested free through a grant from the donor program, while community members are asked to make a tax-deductible donation of $45 to pay for the lab costs.

The drive will be from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Coto Conference Center. For more information, visit the campus or call (714) 858-3350.