BY DINA EXIL
New York Police Department veteran and 9/11 first responder Steve Bonano is battling a rare type of cancer and now a community is pulling together to save his life.
To raise awareness and possibly find a match to save Bonano’s life, Delete Blood Cancer and Forest City Ratner held a bone-marrow registry drive in Brooklyn, on Tuesday and Wednesday.
First-timer Monique Saden, 31, said she has donated blood before, but if she is a match for bone marrow, it would be a pleasure to save a hero.
“If it helps everyone, then I don’t mind helping,” said Saden. “It’s simple. It’s not like pulling teeth. If you can do it and you got the time, go for it.”
Megan Whalen works with Bonano, air jordan 4 who is head of security at the Barclay Center and said he is a great guy and deserves a fighting chance.
According to Jennifer Daniels, Donor Recruitment Coordinator for Delete Blood Cancer, when a potential donator comes in to register, volunteers inform them of the commitment by letting them review the guidelines. Donators must be ages 18-55, in generally good health and must be at a maximum weight at a certain height.
Volunteers are given a ten-second cheek swab and the result is sent for testing. Potential matches could be asked to donate cells.
Many volunteers have their own reasons for wanting to donate.
Denise Gibson registered to give her husband, who has cancer, a fighting chance.
“It will help him and the kids,” said Gibson. “It feels good and at least you’ll be helping someone because maybe when you get sick, they can help you back.”
Potential donors also have the option to register online.
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