Community urged to help S.A. teen - Marrow transplant needed to save his life

 SAN ANTONIO (August 23, 2010) - Don't call Jon Ugarte's life a challenge, his mother Lisa says. "We consider it more of a journey." This time his journey needs your help as the 14-year-old is in need of a marrow transplant to save his life.  

You can help by attending Jon's marrow and blood drive scheduled for Saturday August 28 at the Academy located at 165 S.W. Military Drive from 9am to 3pm. Register and you may be the match for him or another patient in need of this life-saving donation.

Having been diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at the age of 10, Jon is also living with Down syndrome. His leukemia was in remission until his recent relapse in April.

Every day, thousands of patients like Jon with leukemia and other life-threatening diseases hope for a marrow donor who can make their transplant possible. Minorities have less than a 50 percent chance of finding a match and only a 30 percent chance of finding one in their family. They depend on the community.  

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