Bone marrow drive tomorrow at Lions Center
Tomorrow is Ronan Godfrey's third birthday. The City of Hope Medical Center will host a bone marrow drive for the little Fontana boy who needs a transplant. Wouldn't it be a nice birthday gift if we can find a match for him?The bone marrow drive takes place 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. tomorrow at Lions Center East on 9191 Base Line. Representatives from City of Hope will take a cheek swab sample; it's free and takes just 10 minutes.
Ronan has a rare case of aplastic anemia, a genetic blood disorder that requires a bone marrow transplant. You can't tell Ronan is sick. He plays Lego and is glued to the television when Blue's Clues comes on Nickelodeon just like any other boy. But Ronan and his mother, Rachel Godfrey, pictured above, have to go to the hospital two or three times a week for his blood and platelet transfusions. A transfusion can take up to three hours so he kills time by watching Disney movies.
Godfrey and her husband, Nicholas, feel like they're in a race against time. Although Ronan is in good spirits and has fallen into a pattern of trips to the hospital, an ominous cloud hangs over the family.
There's a possibility that at some point, Ronan could reject the transfusions before a suitable donor can be found."If he was to do that, it would be critical," said his mother, Rachel Godfrey.
However, the more transfusions Ronan receives now, the more likely it would be that he would eventually reject a transplant. So for Ronan's case, the key is to find a match as soon as possible.
"I know for myself, when night time rolls around and Ronan is in bed, that's when it haunts me," Godfrey said. "I worry I'm losing my son and I'm running out of time."
There is another bittersweet element to the Godfreys' story. Godfrey is due to have her second child next month. If Ronan's condition is indeed genetic, as doctors suspect, it's possible that Ronan's baby brother could also suffer from a similar condition.
"I had this dream of camping trips with the boys," Godfrey said. "Now I have no idea what the future near or far holds for us."
Fortunately, the Godfreys' extended family, which includes relatives in Ireland and Canada, along with a circle of friends from church and various mother support groups, have committed to participating in bone marrow drives. Events similar to tomorrow's event are being held in Redlands, Huntington Beach, Irvine, San Bernardino and abroad.
Also, on Thursday, Shakeys near Victoria Gardens on 12455 Victoria Gardens Lane, will donate 25 percent of proceeds to Be The Match, an international registry of bone marrow donors. To participate, eat there from 5 to 6 p.m. and drop off your receipt in the box near the cash register. The funds will go toward bone marrow drives such as the one at the Lions Center.
Photos by Micah Escamilla/Correspondent
I was wondering if there are any updates on how Ronan is doing?
Hi, I was staying at my mom's and saw this article about Ronan and was wondering if he received a donor match yet? If he did not, who do we contact to help? Thank you so much!
No match yet, Lisa. I'm going to write an update on this blog with information of upcoming bone marrow drives and other ways you can help.
Where is the next donor location. The web location provided by the Riverside Press Enterprise is no good.
I don't know of any community drives at this time, Bob. But you can check Ronan's website for future updates on bone marrow drives and also information about ordering a kit through Be The Match. www.hope4ronan.com