SANTA ANA : Blood Marrow Donors Are Sought

The Life-Savers Foundation of America on Wednesday announced plans for a one-day campaign to recruit bone marrow donors in the hope that the life of Armando Garcia, a 12-year-old Santa Ana boy suffering from leukemia, can be saved.

Armando has been sick for more than a year with a form of leukemia known as mylodysplastic syndrome and is not expected to live much longer if he does not receive a bone marrow transplant.

He remains in the pediatric ward at UCI Medical Center in Orange in fair condition, according to a hospital spokesperson.

The Covina-based nonprofit foundation hopes to attract potential Latino donors to the event, which will be from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 608 E. Civic Center Drive, Santa Ana.

Potential donors between the ages of 18 to 60 can have their blood tested for marrow compatibility. The name of each participant will be entered into the foundation’s national registry, which is available to anyone who may need a marrow donor.

“The chances are one in 20,000 that any two unrelated people can match, but the chances are slightly higher for a Hispanic if the donor is Hispanic,” said Rudolf Brutoco, chairman of the foundation’s board of trustees.

Latinos are underrepresented on the foundation’s national registry of 100,000 potential donors, Brutoco said.

Officials hope that Sunday’s event will not only lead to a match for Armando but will also increase Latino representation on the registry.

At a press conference announcing the donor drive, Orange County Supervisor Gaddi H. Vasquez had his blood drawn to be tested as a possible match for Armando. He urged other Latinos in the county to do the same.

“This is a unique opportunity to provide an opportunity of life to a young boy,” Vasquez said.

Potential donors are also encouraged to donate money, since an analysis of each blood sample costs about $75. To help offset this expense, the foundation has received financial assistance from the Downtown Santa Ana Business Assn. and VivaMart stores.

For further information on becoming a bone marrow donor, call Life-Savers’ toll-free “Armando hot line,” (800) 950-1050.