Man’s life depends on finding bone marrow donor
Victor Chavez is hoping people turn out Friday to register for a bone and marrow drive in Sacramento. His life depends on it.
Chavez, a Vallejo resident, suffers from chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, a rare blood cancer, and needs a bone marrow transplant. When Chavez's relatives did not prove a match, a bone marrow registry was searched.
A match was found, but for unspecified reasons, the donor chose not to go through with it.
Chavez is back to square one, hoping people come to a bone marrow drive from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday at Sutter Cancer Center, 2800 L St. in Sacramento, Classrooms 3 and 4.
Because fewer minorities are in the registry, it is more difficult to find a match for a Hispanic patient.
"I think the Latino community would be more open to being a donor if they were better informed of the process," said Chavez. "Transplantation sounds scary, but it is a pretty easy process for the donor and the patient."
Chavez, 57, is receiving chemotherapy at Sutter Cancer Center. After losing 60 pounds, he has regained his appetite.
Meanwhile, his son, William, has put his college education on hold to drive Chavez to medical appointments.
For more information, call (916) 453-5916.