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Kenyan Family in Seattle, Washington Appeals for a Bone Marrow Donor to Save their Baby

Kenyan Family in Seattle, Washington Appeals for a Bone Marrow Donor to Save their Baby

December 13, 2014

A Kenyan family living in Seattle, Washington is searching for a bone marrow donor for their daughter Joey.

Joey (pictured) is a lovely 6-year old girl and suffers from a severe form of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), which has no known modern or traditional medicine to cure; it can only be cured by a bone marrow transplant. Joey has had tens of hospitalizations (70 in 2014 alone) and surgeries. She is currently receiving monthly blood transfusions to minimize complications arising from Sickle Cell Disease, says Joey’s dad, Frankline Onchiri. Joey’s family – Dad, Mom and sister – have gone out of their way to do what is humanly possible to support Joey as they cope with the overwhelming demands of this devastating illness.

Because Joey’s sickle cell condition is life-threatening and she cannot continue to receive monthly blood transfusions forever, doctors have strongly recommended a bone marrow transplant for her. A bone marrow or cord blood transplant is the only known cure for sickle cell disease.

Unfortunately, Joey has not found a suitable donor of a bone marrow despite a worldwide search. This, in part, is because of the very few people of African ancestry who have signed up to the bone marrow registry at www.bethematch.org. It is for this reason that the family is kindly requesting everybody of African ancestry, who is 18-44 years to take the first step of helping Joey by signing up to the Bone Marrow Registry using the link provided above. It’s so easy to sign up. Once you sign up a cheek swab kit will be sent to you. Once they determine that your bone marrow matches that of Joey they will contact you.

To register as volunteer bone marrow donor; please go to this link http://www.bethematch.org/…/Join-the-marrow…/Join-now/ and follow the on-screen steps. A cheek swab will be sent to your house that includes a pre-paid postage envelope. Once you swab you cheek; and sign the consent form, mail back the swabs using the return mail envelope. The swabbing is just like you would when brushing your teeth. The cheek swab will be used to determine if your bone marrow matches that of Joey.

Being a bone marrow donor is relatively easy and painless. In fact it’s almost similar to donating blood. Please help the family to save Joey’s life. If you happen to be a match, your travel to the United States, accommodation and food expenses will be taken care of. God Bless!

Thank you all of brothers and sisters for your thoughts and prayers. You could be Joey’s cure!

If you have any question or need more information, please contact:
Frankline Onchiri – (206) 778-0455
Eve Ogeke – (206) 432-6340

Filed Under: News

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