Bone marrow drive hosted for local boy

Andrew Harris of Simi Valley was diagnosed two weeks before his 11th birthday with myelodysplastic syndrome, a life-threatening disease of the bone marrow that causes lowering counts in all the bloodlines and the production of abnormal cells that are preleukemic.

Friends of the family are conducting a bone marrow drive with the national Marrow Donor Program to assist Andres. The drive will be from noon to 5 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday, Dec. 30, at Ralphs No. 52, 2726 Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley.

Individuals who are between the ages of 18 to 60 and in general good health may participate. During the drive, a buccal swab is made, a consent form is signed and the donor’s name is kept on the registry until the donor’s 61st birthday.

Andrew’s mother, Christie Harris, is a 21year team member of Ralphs No. 723, and his grandmother, Diane Shipley, is a retired team member.

Monetary donations may be sent to the Ralphs District 4 office, store No. 37.