If you could potentially save a life, would you?
On Saturday, October 16, from 12:30 to 4 p.m., there will be a bone marrow donor drive at the S.T.A.R.S. Youth Center to help save the life of Philip J. Felice.
On April 9, 2007, Felice, a retired Casey Stengel bus operator, was diagnosed with large B cell Lymphoma.
After successfully undergoing chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant, his Lymphoma returned in February of this year.
His only hope for survival, said his wife, Theresa Ann Felice, is a bone marrow transplant from a stranger.
“Philip’s life lies in the hands of a complete stranger,” she said. “These past few years have been the most difficult we’ve experienced in our 34 years of marriage. We hope and pray for a match each day.”
Theresa explained that Saturday’s event, located at 8 Coleman Square in Howard Beach, will be the sixth drive in five months.
In fact, at the Columbus Day Parade in Manhattan on Monday, October 11, 90 people were swabbed.
“People have been very kind,” she said.
Frances Orietta Scarantino, director of S.T.A.R.S., who herself lost her husband unexpectedly, said, “I know what a difficult time this has been for her and her husband. I am always willing to try to help. I try to do things like this to give back and celebrate life. We’re hoping it will be a success.”
Theresa told The Courier that the drive is in conjunction with DKMS Americas, the world’s largest marrow donor center.
“It’s really simple to potentially save someone’s life,” said Kelly Taylor of DKMS. “All it takes is a mouth swab with a Q-Tip. It’s quick and painless.”
“Someone we haven’t met yet could give Philip the greatest gift of all – the gift of life,” said his wife.
If you can’t make it to the drive, Taylor urges you to register to become a donor at www.GetSwabbed.org. It is a national registry.
“If my husband doesn’t get a match, hopefully we can help someone else,” said Theresa.
If you’d like to find out more, or to donate, visit www.dkmsamericas.org.
