Local Boy in Need of Bone Marrow Transplant

It has been said that it takes a village to raise a child. In Jose “Angel” Mojica’s case, it may take a village to save his life.

Four years ago, Angel was enjoying the life of a typical 10-year-old. Then he began to feel sick and develop bruises.

One day he noticed that his symptoms were much worse, and his parents immediately took him to the emergency room. There he was diagnosed with leukemia and transported by ambulance to St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia. That trip marked the beginning of his battle with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Angel had a short reprieve from his illness this spring, when he enjoyed a period in remission. Unfortunately, his remission was cut short May 24, when signs of his leukemia's return became apparent. Doctors now say that Angel, a Hellertown resident and student, needs a bone marrow transplant to survive.

“He doesn’t have a lot of time. He needs to have his transplant by the first of September,” said Angel's mother, Brenda Sanchez.

The first step to saving Angel’s life begins next week with a . The Be the Match Registry, which has organized the drive, helps thousands of patients like Angel find unrelated marrow donors who are capable of giving them a second chance at life.

“I would like to say that it only takes minutes for a healthy person to save the life of sick child," Sanchez said of the drive planned for her son. "If I will have the opportunity to save a life, I will do it without second thoughts.

"There is a saying...'it takes a village to raise a child,' and I believe in that," she added. "Today Angel is battling this horrible illness but he can also be the person that might find the cure of it."

Donors need to be between ages 18 and 60 and must meet health guidelines. They must also be willing to donate to any patient in need.

Joining the registry is easy. Donors provide a swab of cheek cells and fill out a confidential questionnaire.

Sign-ups during a marrow drive are free, but if you sign up online a kit will have to be mailed to you, and there is a $100 fee to cover the costs of the test and the matching of donors to patients.

Here are the details for the drive planned for this week:

What: Marrow Registry Drive for Angel Mojica, sponsored by Samuel Adams Brewery in Breinigsville.

When: Wednesday, July 20, from noon to 4pm and 9 to 11pm

Where: Samuel Adams Brewery, 7880 Penn Drive, Breinigsville

For questions about the drive: Email the National Marrow Donor Program's Sarah Brooks Horan at sbrooks@nmdp.org.

Four years ago Angel’s life changed, but this week could mark the start of a new cancer-free life for him.

By giving a little of your time, you may find you can save a life like Angel’s, and possibly even Angel himself.

Related Topics: , , , , , , , , , and