Help Save Andrea!

April 5th, 2008 Buckhannon, West Virginia

Why:

At ten years old, Andrea is fighting an unimaginable battle against a fatal disease. Diagnosed with aplastic anemia, a disease of the bone marrow, only a marrow transplant will save her life. With the help of DKMS, the world's largest marrow donor center, local donor drives are being organized in her honor.

Andrea, a fifth grade student at Buckhannon-Upshur Intermediate School in Buckhannon, West Virginia, was diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia in October 2007. Andrea complained of severe headaches at the beginning of the school year and was taken to a neurologist to determine the cause. She then became ill and was taken immediately to the local hospital for blood work. Andrea was sent to Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, West Virginia that same day with suspicion of leukemia. However after further testing, Andrea was diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia. She has since been at Columbus Children's hospital with her mother, Sheila, who has not left her side.

Andrea has had some recent complications but with support from her school and community, both she and her mother continue the agonizing wait for a marrow donor match.

We are asking for your help as a community and as people with a good heart to join the registry as a marrow donor. If you are found to be a match you can help to save Andrea or another patient like her. You can be the one to say: “I saved a life!”

12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Buckhannon-Upshur INtermediate School
18 College Avenue
Buckhannon, WV, 26201

Contact:
Ellie Hernandez 212.209.6704 eleazaida@dkmsamericas.org