Inspired by the story of a young Irish American boy named Jake who is battling a rare blood disorder called severe aplastic anemia, the JCC of Rockland County will host a bone marrow drive on Sunday, September 9, to help him find his bone marrow match. Since February, when he was first diagnosed, six-year-old Jake has been battling the life threatening condition which has caused his bone marrow to fail – it does not make enough blood cells. His life has been turned upside down. Kindergarten has been replaced with homeschooling and a daily regimen of medications, along with weekly doctor's appointments, blood tests and transfusions. Now, six months after diagnosis, he faces a bone marrow transplant, his best hope for a cure. Though Jake lives in San Francisco and is receiving treatment in Milwaukee, his friends in Rockland County are aiming to help him find his bone marrow match during the JCC’s Open House and Wellness Fair. It’s a public event and they are hoping the local Irish American population will turn out to support Jake as genetics play an important role in matching. The good news? Testing to be a match is quick, painless and easy, a simple cheek swab – especially when it can be done locally.
