Update
It appears the community heard the call for help for 9-year-old Xavier.
Henderson Elementary School on Wednesday held a bone marrow drive for the child and raised about $2,000 for his treatment, said the school’s nurse Pam Johnson.
More than 90 people showed up to get registered to donate, said Johnson.
Montclair, Va. –– Most people don’t think of a cotton swab as a life-saving device, but on Wednesday they’ll be providing a 9-year-old with just such a chance.
Xavier, a third grader at Henderson Elementary School in Montclair, was born with Sickle Cell Disease, meaning his blood cells are irregularly shaped and more prone to causing blockages in his body.
These blockages are similar to strokes and can happen anywhere in Xavier’s body, impacting his limbs, lungs, heart, or brain.
The only treatment available is blood transfusions, which last only 120 days at a time, says Henderson Elementary School Nurse Pam Johnson.
Xavier, who is described as constantly smiling despite multiple hospitalizations, needles and numerous missed days of school for illness, has one shot at a cure –– that a stranger will be a bone marrow match.
Johnson is heading up what Xavier calls his “Bow and Arrow Drive” and invites members of the community to come to the school, at 3799 Waterway Drive from 5 to 8 p.m. today, to be added to the National Bone Marrow registry.
She describes the free process as “15 minutes from paperwork to door,” and notes that the procedure is painless.
Those who do not wish to be added to the registry can help by making a donation to help offset the cost of processing each swab, which runs about $100.
Parking is limited, so Johnson also encourages people to be patient for a space, or park on the street.
No appointment is necessary to be swabbed, and once registered, potential donors can be matched with people in need of bone marrow across the country.
