Grants Pass woman hopes to find transplant match for sick boy

Grants Pass, Ore. — Grants Pass woman Mona Pinon knows what it’s like to watch one of your own children suffer. Her youngest son is a cancer survivor. That’s why she’s holding an event Monday in hopes of helping a young boy in the battle of his life.

Four-year-old Corvallis boy Rio Ramirez suffers from Aplastic Anemia and needs a donor for a bone marrow transplant. Pinon organized a bone marrow registry with the goal of finding a transplant match for Ramirez and raising awareness for those in need.

At the event. ‘Be the Match’ will help those who attend get on the bone marrow registry. There will also be a blood drive.

“I get the feeling of hopelessness and wishing so much that I could do something, and there’s absolutely nothing I can do. And for this mom in Corvallis this is her last chance to save her son,” Pinon said.

All participants have to do is show up, fill out an information sheet, and get a cheek swabbed. You must be between the ages of 18 and 44 to qualify for the registry.