New York, NY – According to stjudes.org, "approximately 500 children are diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in the United States each year and is the most common second malignancy in children treated for malignancies". Minority children are at a higher disadvantage due to the limited percentages available ethnic bone marrow or cord blood registered volunteers donors. However, you may have the opportunity to help 15-year old Dimitrius Wilson.
Dimitrius Wilson is a freshman in high school that is athletic and also has a “niche” for technology. At 15-years old, he created an animation cartoon through a Hofstra University Youth Program. He enjoys video games, listening to rock music and skateboarding. His grandfather, Billy Wilson, the first African-American to receive the Thorpe Award in 1943, provides his inherited athletic nature. Dimitrius is on his way to becoming a three-letter in basketball, baseball and track. In March 2010, Dimitrius was diagnosed with AML and after chemo treatments, the disease, went into remission. However, 15-months later he relapsed in February 2012. According to stjude.org, Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) affects various white blood cells including granulocytes, monocytes and platelets. Leukemia cells accumulate in the bone marrow, replace normal blood cells and can spread to the liver, spleen, skin or central nervous system. In order to survive, Dimitrius will need a bone marrow or cord blood donor and we need YOUR HELP, by registering to help Dimitrius and other patients!
Preserve Our Legacy, Inc. a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit, whose mission is to educate individuals, especially those from various ethnic groups, about the benefits of stem cells through treatment options provided via PBSC, bone marrow and umbilical cord blood donation. The organization also spearheaded Jaden’s Law and launched a historic educational program called P.O.L. Umbilical Cord Blood Program at Harlem Hospital in December 2010. Since Jaden’s death, Preserve Our Legacy has been advocating to increase awareness about the need of various ethnic donors, in addition to, having those that register to step up when called to help a patient. “Jaden is gone, but we can do something to help Dimitrius, we need the communities help in spreading the word to find him a match“, says Brett Melius, Co-Founder of Preserve Our Legacy, Inc. We will assist in the promotion of bone marrow drives t help find Dimitrius and others find a match. Follow Dimitrius on twitter at @savedimitrius
Upcoming Bone Marrow Drive:
Trention Health Festival
Location: Historic Cadwalader Park, Trenton, NJ
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Contact: Preserve Our Legacy 877-778-3623
Shana Melius, ext 702 or shana.melius@preserveourlegacy.org, Brett Melius, ext 703 or brett.melius@preserveourlegacy.org
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