Santa Ana Firefighters Look for a Match

Santa Ana firefighters are rallying to help one of their own by raising funds and finding potential donors for a bone-marrow drive Saturday at Centennial Park.

Rene Paquin, 39, a 14-year member of the department, received a non-Hodgkins lymphoma diagnosis last February. Doctors predict he has only a few months to live unless a bone marrow transplant can be performed. Non-Hodgkins lymphoma is cancer of the lymphatic system, which works to fight infections. It is the fifth most common form of cancer in men.

Paquin continued to work after his diagnosis, but retired in October after learning the cancer had spread. Paquin is grateful, but uncomfortable with the publicity generated by the marrow drive, and hopes that the effort will also assist the National Marrow Donor Program, a friend said.

“If it was up to him, his name wouldn’t be on this at all,” said Fire Capt. Randy Black. “He’s one of my best friends. . . . It’s not just for Rene but for anybody in the country in need of a match. That’s our focus, but our motivation is Rene.”

Anyone in good health, between 18 and 60, can register by giving a blood sample. Firefighters are raising funds to pay for the cost of testing the blood.

“All the money in the world will not save his life,” Black said. “If there’s a match, that will save his life. And if we go into debt, it’s not a problem. We’ll come up with the money.”

Black said any additional funds raised for the event will be available to any other public safety officers in need of a transplant.

“I sincerely hope we run out of money and have tons of people show up,” Black said. “It’s just a matter of parents rearranging their children’s soccer schedules and coming down to give a little blood and possibly save some lives.”

Nearly 4 million people are on the national registry, but finding suitable donors can be extremely difficult.

Only 30% of patients have a family member who matches. For whites, the odds of finding a non-related donor are about 80%. But only 5% of non-whites find a non-related donor.

The bone marrow registration drive will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the park, 2900 W. Edinger Ave., Santa Ana. Information: (714) 647-5000.