Greek groups unite in bone marrow search

Two Greek groups based in Astoria are hoping to help find a bone marrow donor for a Long Island girl during two upcoming drives - one in Hempstead and the other in northwest Queens.
Organizers from the Greek Children’s Fund and Greek Aid are holding the events for four-year-old Michaella Tzakas of Franklin Square, who was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) two months ago. The condition leads to leukemia.
On Tuesday, January 22, potential donors can swing by for the test - cheek swab - at the auditorium for St. Catherine & George Greek Orthodox Church, located at 22-30 33rd Street, between 2 and 9 p.m.
In addition, a drive will be held between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday, January 19, at the Tzakas’ parish church - the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Paul, located at 110 Cathedral Avenue in Hempstead.
“Because this little girl is running out of time, the most important thing to get out there is that she needs to find a match,” said Lena Varis, the Vice President of the Greek Children’s Fund.
According to organizers, the girl’s parents and siblings are not matches and neither are her other relatives who have been tested.
“That is about a parent’s worst nightmare, having your child in a situation like this and not being able to help,” Varis said, later adding, “The family is devastated over this.”
In addition, the non-profit groups are asking for donations to help the family pay for the girl’s medical expenses.
“They do have insurance; however the testing part was not picked up by their insurance,” said Varis, explaining that after being contacted by the family’s church, the Greek Children’s Fund opted to help directly with the testing process.
In addition, the group and several other Hellenic organizations are providing financial support to the family and are organizing a fundraising affair on Sunday, February 10 at the family’s parish in Hempstead. Tentatively scheduled for 3 p.m., the event will begin with a prayer service and organizers are asking attendees to pay $50 per person for tickets and participate in raffles to raise money for the Tzakases.
Varis also hoped that potential donors would come forward to find out if they are a prospective match.
“You hear bone marrow transplant and you think it is an invasive procedure and it really is not,” Varis said, explaining that stem cells from the marrow are either extracted from the donor’s bone with a needle or collected by a machine called an aphaeresis, which draws blood, filters out the cells and returns blood to the donor.
“We are just urging everyone to go down there and get tested,” Varis said.
For more information about the Astoria testing event, call St. Catherine & George’s church office at 718-728-1718, and for information about the Hempstead drive, call the Cathedral of Saint Paul at 516-483-5700.