Marrow Donor Drive Launched

The Police Department and the American Red Cross launched a bone marrow drive Monday in search of a match for a veteran officer with leukemia.

Officer Henry Oviedo, 41, was found to have the disease a few months ago.

“Henry grew up in Santa Ana, he was born and raised here, and he has served the city through the Police Department for 19 years,” Sgt. Steve Despenas said. “And his wish is to get better and return to work.”

Oviedo and his wife, Martha, 36, attended a news conference at police headquarters Monday to announce the drive. The couple have two daughters, Alexis, 12, and Beya, 3.

Information from volunteers, who must give a small blood sample, will go into the national bone marrow donors registry.

“There are many Officer Oviedos across the country,” said Judy Iannaccone, spokeswoman for the American Red Cross-Orange County Chapter.

Oviedo, who works as a traffic officer in Santa Ana’s downtown, is undergoing chemotherapy with mixed results. He is not expected to recover without a bone marrow transplant.

“It’s comforting knowing the community is behind him,” Despenas said.

The Red Cross and the Police Department are hosting bone marrow drives from 1 to 6 p.m. today and Wednesday at the Santa Ana Police Department, 1050 W. Civic Center Drive, in the Community Room.

Volunteers must be between the ages of 18 and 60, in good health and not excessively overweight.

Volunteers also can register by calling (213) 739-5595.