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Written by Rob Raymond
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Thursday, 22 November 2007 |
www.helpdany.com
From: therecord.com
November 10, 2007
LIZ MONTEIRO
RECORD STAFF
Dany Mercado, who is battling leukemia, was hoping to have a bone-marrow transplant in Canada.
But the 24-year-old Kitchener man may now have to go Detroit for treatment his family hopes will keep him alive.
In Canada, transplants are conducted with perfect matches whereas in Michigan, Mercado will be able to get bone marrow from someone who is not a complete match, said his mother, Ileana Mercado.
At this point, the family wants to try anything that has a chance of extending Mercado's life.
Ileana Mercado said her son isn't doing well and goes to Grand River Hospital every other day for a blood transfusion.
"This is awful. I can't even explain it but I have faith in the Lord,'' she said.
Dany Mercado was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in April 2002, when he was 19 and about to graduate from Grand River Collegiate Institute.
Since then, he's had many bouts of chemotherapy and been in remission. But his situation is grave and he desperately needs a transplant.
The procedure in the United States will cost $200,000. So, Ron Giles with the Better World Today Association is trying to help. The group promotes awareness about bone marrow donations.
Later this month, a Help Dany Day will be held to raise funds for the transplant. A date has not yet been set.
On Facebook, a popular social networking website, Dany Mercado has two groups addressing his need for a transplant and how people can help.
Earlier this year, the Mercado family went to their native homeland of Nicaragua to search for matches.
About 1,000 people were tested and the family is still waiting for results. Mercado said the family spent about $35,000 of its own money to pay for testing in Central America.
Blood donor clinics with Latin Americans in Waterloo Region have been held but no matches were found.
lmonteiro@therecord.com
HOW TO HELP
Call Canadian Blood Services at 1-888-236-6283.
The TD bank account for donations is 6294972 and the branch number is 67. |
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 22 November 2007 )
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