Bone marrow donor sought for Samoan patient in Hawaii

The lives of many leukemia patients hinge upon finding bone marrow donors from a similar ethnic background. Asian Pacific American patients are at a particular disadvantage since the number of Asian Pacific American donors is so small. The problem is compounded for patients with multiracial backgrounds. Right now in Hawaii, the search is on for a match for a multiracial Asian Pacific American -- read on and help if you can. From the Honolulu Star Bulletin:

The Hawaii Bone Marrow Donor Registry at St. Francis Medical Center had hoped to find bone marrow matches for Wayne Tuaolo, 24, of Marin City, Calif., and Dusty Ah Mow, 17, of Oahu.

However, Tuaolo died last Friday, the center learned. A bone marrow drive was held last Saturday at the Waialua Health Fair.

Efforts are focused now on trying to help Ah Mow, the registry said in a news release. The next drive is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday during the Papakolea Community Fair. The fair will be in the community park, 2150 Tantalus Drive.

Roy Yonashiro, the registry's donor recruitment coordinator, said it has been challenging to find a donor for Ah Mow, who is Samoan, Hawaiian, Chinese, German, French, Indian, Irish and Dutch.
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To obtain more information or update donor information, call 547-6154 or visit www.stfrancishawaii.org/hawaiibonemarrow.