Bone marrow drive set for benefit of local boy
By Julie Rossman
Correspondent
Shaymus Guinn is an 11-year-old boy who has endured so much more than any child should have to.
Diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma in 2008, Shaymus has undergone chemotherapy, a stem cell transplant and surgery. Now, he is facing a bone marrow transplant, with his father scheduled to be the donor.
On Sunday, the Blood Center of Wisconsin is partnering with Racine Community Acupuncture to host a marrow drive and benefit from 12 to 4 p.m. at Caledonia/Mt. Pleasant Park, 9614 Highway K in Franksville.
The bone marrow drive is in honor of Shaymus, with the hopes of helping young patients like him, who are in need of the life-saving transplant.
Shaymus is the son of Tony Guinn, Burlington, and Karla (Baumgart) Guinn, Union Grove. Tony and Karla said in a press release, “On March 18, we hope that you’ll take the first step to help make a life-saving transplant possible by joining the BeTheMatch marrow registry.”
Testing for the bone marrow registry is easy. Donors must be between 18 and 61 years of age. Only a cheek swab and a health history form are necessary to see if you are eligible to donate. Donors should bring a photo ID.
The Shaymus Guinn Benefit, to be held in conjunction with the marrow drive, will feature fun for the entire family, including hot dogs, bakery items, silent auctions and raffles.
There will also be entertainment for children, including clowns and art projects. Proceeds from the benefit will be used to help Shaymus and his family with ongoing medical expenses.
Amy Mlot is part of the benefit planning committee.
“When a child is suffering you feel so helpless and wish there was something you could do,” said Mlot, whose son, Liam, is good friends with Shaymus Guinn.
“This benefit and marrow drive has allowed me to focus on not only helping Shaymus but hopefully finding potential donors for others who are currently waiting for a transplant.”
Mlot has been on the BeTheMatch registry since last fall and says the process was very easy.
“Joining the registry means you have the potential to save someone else’s life. If we have the potential of saving just one person’s life from this drive, it will have been worth it,” she said.
If you go…
Shaymus Guinn Marrow Drive & Benefit
When: Sunday, March 18, 2012 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where: Caledonia/Mt. Pleasant Park 9614 Hwy K, Franksville, WI 53126
For more information regarding marrow donor registration criteria, contact BloodCenter of Wisconsin’s Marrow Donor Program at (414) 937-6388.
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