Marrow drive to aid Elburn mom
The Elburn community is being asked to rally around one of its own as she fights acute myeloid leukemia.
A bone-marrow registration drive is being held Thursday to see if anyone is a match for Kim Urquizu.
The 41-year-old is presently hospitalized at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Texas. That's where she was treated three years ago for chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Recent blood work revealed the AML.
Her cousin, Jill Cramer, and friend Lora Garceau are organizing the drive.
Even if it doesn't help Urquizu, a match may be found for somebody else awaiting a bone-marrow transplantation.
"It's a good way for the community to support the person," Cramer said.
Urquizu is the mother of three children -- a 14-year-old son and daughters age 8 and 11. She has lived in Elburn about 10 years, said Cramer.
Urquizu is undergoing chemotherapy to destroy her diseased marrow in preparation for a bone-marrow transplant. Her three siblings are being tested to see if they match.
The drive is both a back-up plan and a way to show support for her and others who need bone-marrow transplants.
"She's overwhelmed with the amount of support she's gotten," Cramer said.
The marrow registration drive is from 3:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Elburn Countryside and Community Center, 525 N. Main St. (Route 47).
The cost of getting tested is $52. A sponsor has agreed to pay the fee for the first 60 donors, and the National Donor Marrow Program will pay $27 of the cost for the next 75 donors. The test fee is tax-deductible, according to the program.
For the test, they will swab the inside of your cheek.
Donors must be at least 18 and no older than 60, and in good health. They may be asked to donate marrow taken from a pelvic bone, or to donate circulating blood cells from an arm.
If you can't come to the drive, you may register at www.marrow.org. Click on "how you can help" at the top of the page, then on "join the registry." You then fill out a health questionnaire and a testing kit will be sent to you.
For more information about Thursday's drive, e-mail Cramer at jillybean36@comcast.net or earthmotherlg@mchsi.com.