Bone marrow drive for two sick children

A bone marrow drive on Saturday, December 4 will try to find matches for two Queens children undergoing treatment for Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) and Aplastic Anemia.
Luis Danvers, a 5-year-old resident of Jamaica, first began feeling ill when he was four. It began with unexplained fevers. He eventually began to show other symptoms, including fatigue, aches and pains.
Although doctors at first thought Danvers had a virus, he was later diagnosed with ALL in September of 2009.
A child who enjoyed singing, playing and dancing, Danvers is now receiving chemotherapy treatments at Cohen’s Medical Center.
Also underground treatment at Cohen’s Medical Center is 17-year-old Jamaica resident Ahtyana Johnson. As a member of Cardozo High School’s track and field team, she had won awards for her running. Her track and field work had caught the attention of universities and she had been offered scholarships.
In September of this year, Johnson felt dizzy, in addition to having difficulties walking up stairs. Bruises began to appear all over John’s body. As the illness progressed it got in the way of her running as her legs and hips would tighten up.
On September 21, doctors diagnosed her with Aplastic Anemia. She now has to take 15 medications every day.
Danvers and Johnson’s family and friends are now joining forces with bone marrow donor center DKMS to hold the upcoming drive in hopes of finding matches for the children.
“Talking to Luis and Ahtyana’s parents reminded me of my father’s determination to do whatever he could to save my mother’s live,” said DKMS Americas co-founder Katharina Harf. “I admire their courage. DKMS will do whatever we can to recruit more donors.”
The Saturday, December 4 bone marrow drive will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Majority Baptist Church, which is located at 115-21 Farmers Boulevard in Jamaica.
“Luis had cancer but in no way will we let it take over our lives,” said mother Sharon. “We are fighting the best fight with the help of family and close friends. I know that he will be cured of cancer and that Luis will be a normal, healthy child once again.”
Potential bone marrow donors must be between 18 and 55 years of age. In addition to meeting other eligibility requirements, they must be in general good health.
The process begins with the donors having their cheeks swabbed, which is how cheek cells that can identify HLA tissue-type are collected.
When a registered person is found to be a potential match, they will be contacted by a representative from DKMS. The individual will have to complete an extended heath questionnaire and schedule a blood test and physical exam that will help determine if they are the best, suitable donor.
Those who register will also be placed on the Be the Match Registry, which is run by the National Marrow Donor Program.
For more information about DKMS, visit www.dkmsamericas.org.
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