A simple blood donation can save the life of 18-year-old Ramon Orestes Martinez, who has leukemia and needs a bone marrow transplant to survive.
If a compatible donor is found, in 90% of cases all that is required is a simple blood donation. What Ramon needs are stem cells from that blood.
Doctors request donors in the 18-35 age group almost 75% of the time. Studies have shown that cells from young, healthy donors lead to successful stem cell transplants into patients.
In 2021, Ramon, an expert equestrian and award-winning roper, noticed a bump on his knee and was diagnosed with pediatric osteosarcoma, a particularly aggressive form of malignant cancer. After undergoing grueling chemotherapy and ultimately undergoing a total knee replacement, Ramon was declared cancer-free in 2022.
Then, on July 5, 2024, Ramon learned he had leukemia, a blood cancer. Doctors explained that in very rare cases, the chemotherapy Ramon received could cause him to develop leukemia.
“Our family created a campaign called Swab4Ramon to educate and encourage our community to sign up for the National Bone Marrow Donor Program,” said Ramon's sister, Yarem Nunez. “Once you've registered, NMDP will mail your kit to your home. It's as simple as swabbing your mouth and sending the kit back.”
If a donor is found and willing to participate, all costs will be covered by NMDP.
Anyone interested in registering for the National Bone Marrow Donor Program should visit the NMDP website at: www.bethematch.org Or, visit us in person at 7212 NW 56 Street in Miami for a swab test. You can also text SWAB4RAMON to 61474.
For more information, visit our Instagram account @Swab4Ramon.
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