Bone Marrow Drive Held at Norwood Children's Center

On June 16 the Hand in Hand Children's Center in Norwood will be holding a bone marrow donor drive from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. sponsored by Be The Match National Registry.

The drive is being held in honor of Gabriel Ibarra, a Rhode Island student who in March was diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia, a bone marrow failure disease. The only cure for his condition is a bone marrow transplant, but as neither of his younger brothers were a match, Ibarra's hope now is for an unrelated donor.

Aplastic Anemia effects the way that the body produces new blood cells. A person with Aplastic Anemia does not produce enough of these cells resulting in increased infections (due to fewer white cells), unexpected or uncontrolled bleeding (due to fewer platelets), and fatigue (due to fewer red blood cells).

Ibarra has been a student of the French American School of Rhode Island (FASRI) since he was in preschool. On June 6 he will graduate from FASRI with highest honors. He has been accepted to Bishop Hendricken High School where he has received the Brother Rice Scholarship for four years. He has also been accepted to the Arts Academy Jazz Ensemble and The Media Arts Academy at Bishop Hendricken.

Donors must be between the ages of 18 and 60 years old, meet certain health guidelines and be willing to donate to any patient in need. At the drive potential donors will fill out some registration forms, give a cheek swab and show some ID. It only takes about 15 minutes to complete the process.

To make an appointment log onto www.halfpints.childrenshospital.org. The sponsor code for this drive is HANDINHAND or call Heather at 781-702-6591 x222. Blood donations will also be accepted.