SUNY Plattsburgh Student Proves That Cardinals Care

PLATTSBURGH, NY (04/10/2009)(readMedia)-- When Carina Diaz met Jasmina at summer camp, Diaz hoped she would have an impact on the 5-year-old's life. She never dreamt that, six months later, she would be trying to save it.

Jasmina's world changed drastically on Jan. 20, when she was diagnosed with acute leukemia and told that she needed a bone marrow transplant to survive.

When Diaz, a SUNY Plattsburgh sophomore, received an e-mail from the camp headquarters about Jasmina's condition, she knew she had to do something. So she contacted a nonprofit donor organization, DKMS Americas, to find out what she could do to help and began to organize the "ONE for Jasmina" donor drive at the college.

"It's important for people to get involved, because one person can really make a difference. We can save her life! It's up to us to make sure she lives - or she may never experience the things that we have. If I never do anything else, I'll know that I was a part of this," said Diaz.

The child desperately needs to find her match, said Diaz, who is encouraging others to learn how they can help.

A "ONE for Jasmina" informational will be held on April 15 in the Cardinal Lounge of the Angell College Center on the SUNY Plattsburgh campus. This event will allow potential donors to learn Jasmina's story and how they can help save her life.

This event will be followed by the "ONE for Jasmina" donor drive on April 22 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Warren Ballrooms of the Angell College Center. Attendees will be able to register to be a donor and get swabbed on the inside of their cheeks. The swabs will be sent to DKMS Americas to determine if anyone is a match for Jasmina and can donate bone marrow to save her life. Those who do not want to register can also give a monetary donation to the organization. Both events are free and open to the public.

Donors must be between 18 and 55 years of age and in good general health. Donors are asked to share personal information such as age, address, telephone number and a brief clinical history. This information is private but is included in the DKMS database.

For more information, contact Diaz at 917-291-4251 or cdiaz001@mail.plattsburgh.edu.