Eight-year-old Alfredo of Humboldt Park and 15 year-old Jordan of Rogers Park are both battling threatening diagnosis – Alfredo with a rare immune disorder, and Jordan with an aggressive form of Leukemia. Both could be cured by a blood stem cell transplant, but neither has a matching donor on the Be The Match Registry* Residents of Hermosa and Kelvyn Park, as well as those from neighboring communities, are invited to a drive-thru, no-touch swabbing event to give hope to patients this holiday season. After registering, people interested in becoming a donor will be given a cheek swab to provide a DNA sample from their inner cheek. McDonald’s will be providing free treats for attendees. The event will take place at the McDonald’s on 4601 W. Diversey.

Be The Match says that every year more than 10,000 patients search for a matching blood stem cell or bone marrow donor to help cure them of a deadly blood cancer or blood disease. Unfortunately, more than 4,000 patients will not find the match they need. “The fact that Hispanic patients only have a 46 percent probability of finding a matching donor” said Carmen Solano De Carrier, owner operator of the McDonald’s hosting the event “convinced me that it was imperative to communicate this to our community to see if matching donors could be found. I am sure that many Hispanics will answer this call.” Young and healthy donors are needed urgently between 18 and 44 years old of any race or ethnicity, to help a diverse group of patients find matching donors. Those who can’t attend the even can text CHIWISH to 61474 to receive a swab kit at home.