May 8, 2006 :: No. 241
| What: |
Cal State Fullerton will be the site of a bone marrow drive that aims to find a match for a woman, Christine Pechera, dying of cancer. Filipinos are especially encouraged to be tested and be potential donors for Pechera, a Filipina filmmaker. |
| When: |
May 16 and 17
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. |
| Where: |
Titan Walk |
| Who: |
Pechera, who donated her own bone marrow and saved her 12-year-old brother by doing so 15 years ago, now needs a bone marrow transplant to save her own life. Her brother lived four more years because of the transplant; he died two months after his 16th birthday. Pechera, 33, has an aggressive form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and is undergoing chemotherapy. Doctors have advised that she has six weeks to live. Anyone between the ages of 18 and 60, who is free of autoimmune diseases, may be tested and be placed on the National Marrow Registry as a potential donor. |
| Why: |
"We may not know Christine personally, but her story is echoed throughout the country. She is literally fighting for her life, and the only thing that can save her is a bone marrow transplant," said Frances Teves, CSUF's director of state relations and advocacy. "The process is simple — a swab of your inner cheek will be taken as a sample. Should you match, you could save her life by donating your bone marrow. If not, you will be entered in the National Marrow Donor Registry, and you may be able to save someone else. The number of minorities on the registry is so small that the need for donors is extremely urgent," added Teves, who organized the bone marrow drive. |
| Media Contacts: |
Frances Teves at 657-278-2569 or fteves@fullerton.edu
Mimi Ko Cruz, Public Affairs, 657-278-7586 or mkocruz@fullerton.edu |
