Chicago Fire Host Bone Marrow Drive

By Marcus Gilmer in Arts & Entertainment on May 29, 2009 4:00PM

I was discussing cumulonimbus cloud formations with our pal Amy Freeze last night via email when she pointed me to this article about former Chicago Fire player Andy Williams and his crusade to find a bone marrow donor for his wife Marcia, who is suffering from a rare form of leukemia (the New York Times also covered Williams last fall). Williams, now with Real Salt Lake, and his wife are now preparing for a June 12th transfusion, hoping and praying the match will take.

Now, inspired by the former teammate, the Chicago Fire are teaming up with LifeSource, Chicagoland's Blood Center, to host a bone marrow donor registry drive tomorrow at Toyota Park from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. The first 100 people to register will get access to an exclusive autograph session with players C.J. Brown, Justin Mapp, Logan Pause, and Bakary Soumare. All donors will also be able to watch the team's practice that day at TOYOTA PARK. In addition, all donors can enter a random drawing to win Chicago Fire tickets and an opportunity to participate in a pre-game coin toss. To enter the bone marrow registry, a cheek swab is taken and tested to determine the donor's tissue type. Potential donors must also complete a brief health questionnaire and sign a consent form to have their tissue type listed on the Registry. Blood donors must be at least 17 years of age, or 16 with parental consent, and weigh at least 110 pounds.

On a personal (and somewhat self-indulgent) note, I'm registered with the National Marrow Donor Program and in the summer of 2006, just before I left the balmy climes of New Orleans for Chicago, I was able to donate marrow to a leukemia patient. It's a cause well worth becoming part of and the National Marrow Donor Program is a wonderful organization and worth checking out. As is tomorrow's drive! So what are you waiting for? Make your plans to get out to Toyota Park tomorrow.

Chicago Fire Bone Marrow Drive, Saturday May 30, 8 am - 3 pm, Toyota Park, 7000 S. Harlem Avenue, Bridgeview, IL