Screen your bone marrow – save a life

BY TONIA N. CIMINO

Tuesday, November 17, 2009 5:32 PM EST

In this, the season of giving, what gift is better than the gift of life?

With a simple test, you may be able to give exactly that.

You see, 16-year-old Alex Mele has Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), and he is in desperate need of a bone marrow transplant, according to family members.

So, on Tuesday, November 24, from 3 to 8:30 p.m., people are encouraged to go to Russo’s on the Bay to be tested as a match for Alex.

Diagnosed in November of last year, Alex has had five chemotherapy treatments, according to close relative Connie Mele, who said that he first became ill on a family hunting trip.

Pale and vomiting, she said, “Everyone thought it was the flu.”

And at first even doctors thought it was something less severe.

But, upon further testing, Alex was given his diagnosis.

He spent six months in Stony Brook Hospital – missing all of 10th grade – and went into remission in May of this year, but a follow-up with the doctor revealed that the cancer had returned.

“His counts were not good,” said Connie. “He’s not going to survive without a transplant.”

A plucky kid who loves baseball, Alex kept up with his studies despite everything, and “was so happy to be in 11th grade.”

Now he needs your help.

Connie said that, “everyone is welcome but, because of Alex’s ethnicity,

Italians are especially encouraged to be tested.”

Those interested must be between the ages of 18 and 60 and in good general health.

Russo’s on the Bay is located at 162-45 Cross Bay Boulevard in Howard Beach.

For more information, call Connie Mele at 516-805-1488