URGENT APPEAL FOR BONE MARROW DONOR

Nathaniel (Natnael) is a boy from Ethiopia who was adopted by a family in Tacoma, Washington state after losing both his parents.

He lived in an orphanage for 3 years until 2010 when he was adopted and moved to the U.S.

In 2012 Nathaniel was diagnosed with Philadelphia Chromosome Positive Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, a very and high risk type of Leukemia. He had typing (genetic testing) done to check his bone marrow type for a possible bone marrow transplant in 2012 and there were no 10 out of 10 matches.

Transplant is risky even with a 10 out of 10 match, but without a 10 out of 10 match it is even riskier.

The best bone marrow match for Nathaniel in the worldwide database was an 8 out of 10 from an unrelated donor (which would increase the risk that his body would reject the transplant and that it would fail).

At that time it was decided that Nathaniel should have chemotherapy treatment instead of a transplant. He had high dose chemo for about 2 1/2 years and his Leukemia went into remission after the first couple months of treatment.

Unfortunately, his cancer came back last week. As a result, he likely will need a bone marrow transplant.

Bone marrow typing is based mostly on ethnicity.

Nathaniel’s family is looking and appealing to people of African origin who are willing to be tested to see if they are a match for Nathaniel and donate if needed.

Testing is very simple, free, non-invasive and can be done at home. Request a testing kit from www.Bethematch.org, fill out the simple paperwork, swab your cheek, and send it to Be the Match.

Donorship is fairly non-invasive and requires a physical exam as well as some blood draws. That is all!  The cost is paid for by the person receiving the transplant.

Please, please consider looking into being typed and being a donor if needed. Nathaniel’s or another African person’s life may depend on it.

 

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