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A bone marrow drive will be held from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. for Morris, a 40-year firefighting veteran who has form of leukemia commonly known as AML.
Organizers of the drive, to be held at the Demarest Fire House, are looking for adults 18 to 44 years old to come get swabbed.
“We are hoping that everyone who is eligible comes together to try to help Ricky win this difficult fight,” said Cindy Saidel, a friend of Ricky and his wife, Beverly.
A blood drive has been added, as well.
Saidel, who works for the Bergen County Police Department, said Ricky’s one wish is to be able to escort his daughter down the aisle on her wedding day.
“Please join us to help make Ricky’s wish his reality,” she told CLIFFVIEW PILOT readers.
The most common acute leukemia affecting adults, AML is characterized by the rapid growth of abnormal white blood cells that accumulate in the bone marrow and interfere with the production of normal blood cells (It’s still somewhat rare, accounting for a little over 1% of cancer deaths in the U.S.).
Symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, easy bruising and bleeding and increased risk of infection.
The prognosis varies, depending on the type: Five-year survival rates can vary from 15–70% and relapse rate varies from 33–78%.
Chemotherapy comes first, followed by transplants.
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