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Bone-Marrow Appeal Issued
2005-07-07
Owen Wells called on lawmakers Wednesday to help get the word out about a bone-marrow donor drive in hopes of finding a match for his daughter Kailee, who suffers from aplastic anemia.
"We must find a perfect match quickly if we are to save Kailee's life," Wells told state senators in an emotional speech.
Wells said a bone-marrow drive will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 21 at La Fonda Hotel in Santa Fe. Sponsors include First State Bank, Wells Fargo Bank and the National Marrow Donor Program.
A previous drive resulted in two matches for other people awaiting bone-marrow transplants, Wells said.
"One person can make a difference," Wells said.
Wells also called for legislation providing more funding for bone-marrow testing.
Bone marrow stops making enough blood cells in people with aplastic anemia. Kailee's mother, Linda Wells, has made two trips to China in search of a bone-marrow donor.
The Wellses adopted Kailee in China, and an Asian donor would be more likely to be a match for the 7-year-old Albuquerque girl.
Kailee is receiving treatment at the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin in Milwaukee.
A technician at the Capitol on Wednesday tested about 20 people for their bone-marrow type.
Sen. Joe Carraro, R-Albuquerque, said he had already been tested and encouraged fellow senators to do the same.
"All it takes is that little prick of the finger to get tested," Carraro said.
excerpts from The Albuquerque Journal, Article by David Miles |
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