Chicago Cop With Leukemia Seeking Bone Marrow Match
Podcast
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A Chicago police officer was reaching out to colleagues and local residents, as she seeks a bone marrow donation that could save her life.
Experts said, in 70 percent of leukemia cases, a patient needs a bone marrow transplant, but no relatives are a match. That's the case for Chicago Police Officer Blanca Magallon, who was diagnosed with leukemia in July.
Several dozen Chicago police officers, and members of the general public, gathered at the Harrison District police station on the West Side on Monday to be tested to determine if they're a match for Magallon.
Lauren Johnson, a representative of Be The Match – a community group that raises money for patients who need bone marrow transplants – said the test volunteers took is easy.
"Sounds scary, but it's just a cheek swab. There are no needles involved, just a simple cheek swab, and a consent form. The whole process maybe only takes about seven to ten minutes," she said.
Magallon's nephew, Justin, handed out the DNA kits used for the test, which checks for a minimum of six basic human leukocyte antigen markers for a close match. Test results should be complete in six weeks.
Even if volunteers at Monday's event were not a match for Magallon, their information will be added to a national registry, as they might be a match for another patient in need.
"We're super excited, and hopeful that we'll find someone for her; and if not for her, hopefully for other individuals that are in her shoes," said Magallon's sister, Susan.
Anyone else who wants to find out if they're a match for Magallon or other patients in need of a bone marrow transplant can go to bethematch.org.
