Community Corner
Bone Marrow Donor Sought For Bridgeport Teen
A Bridgeport teen diagnosed with Leukemia has fought hard for years, and now his family is seeking a bone marrow donor.
BRIDGEPORT, CT — Luis Vega was described as a "happy, vibrant and energetic" young boy who loved playing baseball for the Caribe Youth League since he was 7-year-old. Now 17, the Bridgeport teen has been fighting a battle every day for nearly five years.
Vega was diagnosed with with Leukemia on Sept. 25, 2013. According to a GoFundMe page set up by his aunt, Luisa Vega, he endured a major set back last year on his fight to live a normal teenage life again.
"Unfortunately, we are back to where we started," Luisa Vega said on the page at the time. "He has relapsed and will have to endure everything he has gone through again."
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The page was set up on March 28, 2017, to aid the family's medical costs.
"My parents are his guardians and worked all their lives and were saving all they could so they can retire comfortably. Since the first round of medical treatment, they have gone through all of their savings paying Luis' medical bills and medications," Luisa Vega said on the page. "My parents are very humble people and would appreciate any amount you can give."
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As of Thursday afternoon, the page has raised $9,530 of a $50,000 goal over the span of 14 months. Last week, Vega updated the page with new information regarding her nephew.
"Once again, thank you to all who have donated! Much appreciated," Vega said on the page. "Luis has once again relapsed while on treatment. Chemo alone is no longer working for him."
Vega said her nephew is in need of a bone marrow transplant and the family is currently seeking a donor. They will be holding a Marrow Donor Registry Drive on Saturday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Sazon y Mambo (1691 Main Street, Bridgeport).
The drive is open to anyone between the ages of 18 and 44. Candidates will only need to receive a simple cheek swab to join the registry.
For further information and to donate to Luis Vega's family, visit their GoFundMe page.
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Photo credit: GoFundMe
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