BRANDENBURG — The Brandenburg community will come together Saturday, May 16, for a multi-location blood stem cell donor registration drive to support 11-year-old Emmalee Wilkins, who is battling acute myeloid leukemia and in urgent need of a transplant.
Emmalee’s family and friends have partnered with DKMS, an international nonprofit and the world’s largest blood stem cell donor center, to host the drive in hopes of finding a lifesaving donor match for Emmalee and others facing blood-related illnesses.
Since her diagnosis, Emmalee has spent much of her time receiving inpatient treatment while continuing to maintain what loved ones describe as a bright and outgoing spirit. Before her illness, she dreamed of becoming a dentist, but her experience has inspired her to consider a future in oncology to help other children facing similar challenges.
Organizers say the effort aims to expand the donor registry as Emmalee urgently needs a matching donor. According to DKMS, 70% of patients with blood-related illnesses rely on donors outside their families for transplants.
Individuals in good health between the ages of 18 and 55 are encouraged to participate. Registration includes reviewing medical eligibility, completing a form and providing a cheek swab.
The drive will take place at two locations in Brandenburg. A morning registration event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. during a car show in downtown Brandenburg at 146 River Road. An afternoon session will follow from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Uncle Steph’s Ice Cream & Eats, 613 Old State Road.
DKMS, founded in Germany in 1991, works globally to fight blood cancers and other blood-related diseases by recruiting donors and supporting patients from diagnosis through transplant. The organization has registered more than 13 million donors worldwide and facilitated more than 125,000 transplants.
For more information or to register online, visit
dkms.org.
