Second bone marrow drive held to find match for Chicago Police Officer Blanca Magallon
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago Police Officer Blanca Magallon is in need of a life-saving bone marrow transplant.
Dozens of officers and others turned out Monday night to register as donors at the 11th District police station.
Doctors diagnosed Officer Magallon with leukemia back in July. Dozens of people turned out for the first bone marrow drive, which took place over the weekend.
The mother of four needs a Hispanic donor, but she and her family are encouraging everyone to donate. Event organizers say they are seeking donors between the ages of 18-44.
According to bethematch.org, a person is more likely to find a donor from the same racial or ethnic background, but it's harder for minorities. Hispanics are 83 percent likely to find a match and African American are only 76 percent as compared to whites at 97 percent, so, Magallon is pleading for people to get tested.
"I've always been the type of person to help people. Maybe this is something bigger for me to help more people," Magallon said.
Blanca's GoFundMe page: http://www.gofundme.com/efokiw?pc=mb_em
