Bone marrow drives to aid girl, 17 months

Advertiser Staff

Bone marrow drives will be held in May to help a 17-month-old girl with a rare blood disorder.

Ryan Ma was adopted five months ago from China. Shortly afterward, she was diagnosed with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.

Ryan is in need of a bone-marrow transplant, and events have been scheduled to register potential donors:

• May 8, Harris United Methodist Church, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• May 15, Pearlridge Shopping Center, Uptown stage area, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• May 15-16, New Bay Expo, NBC Exhibition Hall, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• May 22, Lili'uokalani Park, Hilo, during the Hilo Fire Department Fun Run, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Candidates must be between 18 and 60 years old and in good health. A small sample of blood is drawn and sent to a lab for tissue typing.

Also, a fund has been established to help defray medical costs. Donations may be made to: Friends of Ryan Ma, First Hawaiian Bank, Moanalua branch, 1000 Mapunapuna St., Honolulu, HI 96819.

For more information, call 836-3333, or e-mail ryanma@tri-ldata.com.