ARE YOU IN OR NEAR TAMPA, FLORIDA? Have you got bones? (Like, your own?)

Via Lying in the Gutters, ultimately via Journalista!:

“A young child needs bone marrow transplant urgently, and it’s been very difficult to find a match. …

“Maybe you can help. The full press release is reprinted below. Find out more about the crisis at www.fbsblood.org. E-mail Tony at tonypanaccio@yahoo.com. And if you’re in the area, there’s a drive for marrow donors scheduled for Tuesday the 30th from 11am to 4pm at the The Phyllis Marshall University Center, University of South Florida, Tampa.

“Tampa Bay Area Girl Needs Bone Marrow Transplant, But Cannot Find Donor Tampa, FL “September 26, 2003 — A 3-year-old Tampa girl may be the latest victim of a bone marrow donor crisis that is affecting ethnic minorities around the country.

“NBC News last night reported a national crisis for ethnic minorities waiting for bone marrow transplants. More than three-quarters of the existing 5 million existing bone marrow donors in the national registry are Caucasian. That means anyone who belongs to an ethnic minority will have an exponentially more difficult task finding a match. Experts estimate that more than 4,000 people a year, mostly minorities, die from leukemia alone because they can’t find a matching donor.

[clipped]

“Direct contact for Myron Solomon: (813) 249-4279

“Media Contact for family: Tony Panaccio

(813) 781-2446

tonypanaccio@yahoo.com”