For more information contact:
Roger Ruiz, Community Relations Specialist
Phone: 210-731-5542
Cell: 210-296-9026
roger.ruiz@bloodntissue.org

Saturn helps in uniting S.A. donor and child recipient

Lone Star Circle of Life tour, bringing awareness to the gift of life

(San Antonio, TX) Battling the blood disorder diamond-blackfan anemia for most of his life, Adolfo Chan is as mature as most adults. The oldest of three children, Adolfo was first diagnosed with the blood disorder at the age of four. As a cure for his illness, he received a bone marrow transplant from his younger sister. Unfortunately the transplant never engrafted and after some time the search for an unrelated donor began. During the waiting period his bone marrow failed to produce enough red blood cells and as a result he was in constant need of blood transfusions. After years of waiting and prayers the Chan family received word that a potential donor had been found. In July of 2007 Adolfo, then nine, received a stem cell transplant from Christopher Garcia from San Antonio.

Just over two years now since the transplant, Adolfo and Christopher will meet for the first time this Saturday.

In its twelfth year, the Bike Tour continues to raise awareness of the need for life-saving donations of blood, marrow, organs and tissue and has continued to have support from the community including Rick Cavender of Saturn of San Antonio.

“We support the tour because we know it raises keen awareness for life saving donations of blood, marrow, organs and tissue.  We more accurately refer to this ultimate act of kindness as the Gift of Life,” Cavender said.  “This gift saves countless lives on a daily basis and we support the great work of the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center, the Be The Match Marrow Registry and the dedicated members of the Lone Star Circle of Life Cycling Team.”

The tour takes cyclists on an eight day, 605 mile ride kicking off in Houston and wrapping up in San Antonio. On Saturday, the community can register for the Marrow Donor registry and sign an organ and tissue donation card. Recipients, donors and their families will also be on hand to share their experience and answer questions.

Please visit http://circleoflife.sw.org for more information about the event, including bios of riders and other local honorees.

About Be The Match Marrow Registry
The, Be The Match Marrow Registry helps people who need a life-saving marrow or blood cell transplant. They connect patients, doctors, donors and researchers to resources they need to help more people live longer, healthier lives.

###