Stem Cell Donor Registration Drive Set In Sleepy Hollow

SLEEPY HOLLOW, NY — A Sleepy Hollow triathlete and captain of a local fire company is hoping to get the public to register as potential stem cell donors.

Eugene Doherty, 46, is fighting acute lymphoblastic leukemia and has partnered with DKMS, the world's largest blood stem cell donor center, to host a registration drive Saturday and Sunday to raise awareness and register donors who will help save the lives of others like him.

Doherty, who is originally from Ireland, now lives in Sleepy Hollow and has volunteered for 12 years with the Sleepy Hollow Sprint Triathlon.

Before he was diagnosed, he was an active triathlete, having finished he first triathlon in 1994.

He was lucky enough to find a matching donor in his family, which is often not the case for 70 percent of people with blood-related illnesses.

Doherty is hoping to raise awareness of the critical need and inspire more people to register to help patients like him.

Anyone in good health between ages 18 and 55 is encouraged to attend.

Potential donors will review medical eligibility, fill out a registration form, swab the insides of their cheeks and return their complete packet before leaving the drive.

Anyone who cannot attend the registration drives may register by ordering a free swab kit here.

The drive will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday and 7 a.m. to noon Sunday at Kingsland Point Park, 299 Palmer Ave. in Sleepy Hollow.