Help Save Baby Sophia!

A close friend of mine recently forwarded an email from a co-worker. As a mother, it saddened my heart  to read it. As a Latina, it called me to action. It forced me to look at myself, at my children, and reevaluate my life.

While I fight with my children over a messy room, Denise Lopez fights for her 6 month old daughter’s life.

While I look at my sons’ faces and see a future, Denise Lopez looks at her daughter Sophia and prays for one.

When strangers pass my sons in the street, they are just that… strangers.

For Sophia, that stranger could be a lifesaving match.

It puts life in perspective.

Six month old Sophia Lopez needs a bone marrow transplant. Four months ago, she was diagnosed with HLH, a rare blood disease that affects just one child per million. Sophia is that one child.  Her only hope for survival is a bone marrow transplant.  As a Puerto Rican, Sophia has a slim chance. Latinos make up just 10% of the national registry and are very genetically diverse. Her parents haven’t given up hope. They believe that her lifesaving match can be found if we rally. I do too.

If you are Hispanic, make a difference.

Change a life.

Help.

Come out and register as a bone marrow donor. All it takes is a cotton swab swipe inside your mouth to determine if you are a match for 6 month old Sophia.

BONE MARROW DONOR DRIVE
Saturday, May 22, 2010,
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
P.S. 71 – Rosa E. Scala School
3040 Roberts Ave., Bronx, NY 10461

Subway Directions: Take 6 train to Buhre Ave.

“I want my precious little girl to be saved. She’s my only daughter. I want her to be able to play with her brothers like the way she did when she was born. Before this happened, she was so happy, and loved to laugh. But now, she just cries in pain. It hurts me so much to see her like this. I want my princess to live.” Denise Lopez –Sophia’s mom

Questions? Contact Flora Mendoza at flora (AT) dkmsamericas.org