Patchogue residents and visitors alike are being asked to help better the odds for a 3-year-old Manorville boy to find a lifesaving bone marrow match as he battles leukemia.
The family of Nicholas Mauceri is partnering with DKMS, a nonprofit leading the fight against blood cancer, for a special cheek-swabbing event at Family Fun Night in Patchogue on Friday, Aug. 11.
An announcement issued Tuesday indicates Nicholas is in a tough battle.
He has been diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), an aggressive form of leukemia that causes bone marrow cells to develop errors in DNA.
His only hope to get better is a bone marrow transplant from an unrelated donor.
Anyone in good general health who is between the ages of 18-55 can register on Friday. The process involves filling out a simple form, understanding the donation methods and swabbing the inside of each cheek for 30 seconds.
Experts will also be on hand to address any concerns would-be donors might have.
Family Fun Night takes place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on East Main Street between Ocean and Maple avenues.
The DKMS tent will be setting up near 45 East Main Street, the old Payless shoe store, according to the Greater Patchogue Chamber of Commerce, which runs Family Fun Night. They will be taking swabs near The Frankel Sisters band. Look for the red signage.
According to DKMS, 70% of people suffering from blood-related illnesses must rely on donors outside their families to save their life. Swabbing your cheek is all it takes to register as a potential donor.
For more information on DKMS, to register or fund the mission, please visit www.dkms.org.
