VIDEO: Hundreds Turn Out for Joey Caretti Bone Marrow Drive

Nearly 1,000 people went to Tuesday to register for the National Marrow Donor program in hopes of finding 11-year-old Joey Caretti, diagnosed with Leukemia, a match.

Caretti, of Washington Township, won the battle with a rare form of brain cancer on Nov. 11. But just weeks later, he was diagnosed with leukemia.

Because the drug that would normally be used to cure this cancer in children was already administered for his brain cancer, Caretti’s survival now depends on more chemotherapy treatments and ultimately, a bone marrow transplant.

Testing was limited to persons 18 to 60 years old and in good health. The procedure required only an inner cheek swabbing with a cotton ball and the completion of a short questionnaire.

Donations of at least $10 were accepted to help defray the marrow processing costs.

Those who were unable to be tested due to age or health reasons are still encouraged to donate to Joey’s Be the Match page to help offset the cost of testing other potential donors.