Community Corner
Essex County Boy Needs Bone Marrow Transplant: Hero Wanted
The six-year-old 1st grader was recently diagnosed with a rare blood disease called Fanconi Anemia and needs a bone marrow donation.
Are you a possible bone marrow match for local youth John Faro Vitale?
The six-year-old first grader was recently diagnosed with a rare blood disease called Fanconi Anemia and is in need a bone marrow transplant. But his bone marrow type is also rare and his family has been unable to locate a match.
And that’s where you come in, Essex County.
Find out what's happening in Caldwellsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Vitale’s grandmother Helen Flores - the executive director of the West Essex YMCA – told Patch on Thursday that the family is still seeking a compatible donator.
Residents who want find out if they are a match can attend one of three screening sessions:
Find out what's happening in Caldwellsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Thursday, Feb. 18 – West Essex YMCA, 321 S. Livingston Ave., Livingston, 3:30 to 7:30 p.m., Ages 18 to 44 only
- Saturday, Feb. 20 – South Mountain YMCA, 13 Jefferson Ave., Maplewood, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Ages 18 to 55 only
- Monday, Feb. 22 – Wayne YMCA, 1 Pike Drive, Wayne, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Ages 18 to 44 only
Sign up for Patch email newsletters here.
Photo courtesy of Helen Flores
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
