Letter: Blood drive Saturday to honor toddler with rare leukemia

Early last month, Noah Harris and his parents were devastated to learn he had been diagnosed with PH+ Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL).  They immediately began an intensive chemotherapy treatment, which Noah has endured like a trooper.  Since his initial diagnosis at the Lucille Packard’s Hospital for Children, his doctors have learned that Noah has a very rare genetic anomaly identified as “Philadelphia” ABL/BCR translocation gene.   He is currently undergoing consolidation phase treatment and will most likely require bone marrow transplantation once a match is found.  Noah will celebrate his second birthday in October. 
 
To help our young friend, we are sponsoring a blood drive in his honor.  The Stanford Blood Mobile will be at Cypress Flower Farm on Saturday, August 26 to answer any questions you may have and collect your donation.  We are looking for 40 donors, each of whom will receive a coupon redeemable for a pint of Baskin Robbins ice cream.  An appointment can be made by by signing up on online or by calling 650-728-0622.   Additionally, you will have the opportunity to join the National Marrow Donor Program registry.  There are no costs associated when contributing via the Stanford Blood Center.
 
The drive will be held August 26 at Cypress Flower Farm, 333 Cypress Ave, Moss Beach from noon-4:00.  We hope you will join us in our effort to help Noah and others with this life threatening condition.  If you are not able to join us at this drive, we encourage you to visit your local blood center.

Karen Gorman
Montara