Bone marrow donors sought for girl

By Scott Ishikawa
Advertiser Staff Writer

Nicole Howard works on a coloring book in the Honolulu police chief’s office area prior to appearing before local media with her Seattle family to ask potential bone marrow donors to register. Nicole, who is of Japanese and Caucasian descent, has chronic myeloid leukemia. Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

Nicole Howard, daughter of a Seattle police detective, is visiting Hawai'i with her family in hopes that a match can be found for her and to urge residents to register.

Nicole needs a bone marrow transplant to battle chronic myeloid leukemia, a form of cancer rarely found in children. Earlier bone marrow drives in Washington did not produce a match for Nicole, who is of Japanese and Caucasian descent.

"We're hoping that someone in Hawai'i will be able to help Nicole and other patients in need," since bone marrow donors and recipients usually share the same racial or ethnic background, said Police Chief Lee Donohue, who was visited by Nicole's family yesterday.

The bone marrow drives are scheduled for today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the University of Hawai'i campus center ballroom, and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the state Capitol.