A member of the San Francisco Fire Department has recently been told that his 2 1/2 year old son is in dire need of a bone marrow transplant. Little Harrison Leonardo was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) approximately nine months ago. After enduring many months of chemotherapy his cancer went into remission in August of this year.
A couple of days before Thanksgiving the family was told that his cancer had returned and that he would need a bone marrow transplant in order to survive.
One of the challenges that the family is facing is finding a "miracle-match" for Harrison who is of Filipino/Caucasian ethnic background. To date, a search of the Bone Marrow Donor Databse has not found a match for Harrison.
The San Francisco Fire Department has been working with the family to help them in their desperate search for a donor. That being said, we are contacting those of you that also work in Public Safety in hopes that you will spread the word to the members of your departments that Harrison needs your help.
We are requesting that you contact the Asian American Donor Program and schedule a Bone Marrow Donor Registration Drive for your City Department. The Leonardo family is specifically in need of Filipino/Caucasian individuals to register. The marrow typing process is a simple "cheek swab" procedure.
Even if those that register are not a match for Harrison, they may be a match for someone. And, if those that register are of minority descent, it is even more of a gift to the Donor Registry because so few minorities are currently registered.
Please check www.HelpHarrison.com for updates on Harrison's fight for life and upcoming Donor Drives.
Because of our diligent search campaign, the Asian American Donor Program is looking for volunteers to help at the various Donor Drives. You may contact the AADP at 1-800-59DONOR to volunteer!
