A little Brooklyn boy needs your help!

Recently a little Brooklyn boy was diagnosed with ALD. ALD (adrenoleukodystrophy) is a rare genetic determined neurological disorder and affects the brain with demyelination (the destruction of nerves cells throughout the brain). The disorder makes it so the body is unable to break down big fat molecules, which means the fat molecules build up,clog cells, and eventually damage nerves in the brain and spinal cord. The symptoms included visual disturbances, auditory discriminations, impaired coordination, dementia, and seizures. At this time their is no cure for the disorder, but there is an experimental treatment of a bone marrow transplant. The idea is to replace the bad defective ALD gene with new good cells that possibly could break down the fat molecules.

This is where you can help! Today at PS 154, located at 1625 11th Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11215 from 8:30am to 3:00pm, there will be a Bone Marrow Donor drive. 

Joining the Be The Match Registry is easy. Patients need donors who are between the ages of 18 and 60, meet the health guidelines and are willing to donate to any patient in need.

When you come to the donor registry drive, we will explain what it means to join the registry, help you understand your commitment, answer your questions and help you through the process. 

All you need to do is:

Complete a registration form with contact information, health information and a signed agreement to join the Be The Match Registry. To help you complete the form, bring along:

-Personal identification (such as a driver's license or passport)

-Contact information for two family members or friends who would know how to reach you in the future if your contact information changes   

Give four swab samples of your cheek cells to be tissue-typed. We will use the results to match you to patients. 

Who is eligible:

To join you must be age - 18 to 60

    

You cannot have:

    * AIDS/HIV

    * Autoimmune Diseases

    * Back, Neck, Hip, and Spine issues related to Herniation

    * Bleeding Problems 

    * Brain Injury/Surgery

    * Breathing Problems/Sleep Apnea 

    * Cancer

    * Diabetes - Insulin Dependent

    * Epilepsy 

    * Heart Disease/Stroke

    * Hepatitis

    * Kidney Problems

    * Liver Disease 

    * Lyme Disease/Tick-Borne Disease 

    * Organ or Tissue Transplant

    * Pregnancy

    * Sexually Transmitted Diseases

    * Tuberculosis

The subsidized cost for our drive is $25 per registrant.  If you are unable to pay, but still want to join, the cost will be covered for you.

For more information visit www.marrow.org