LANSING, Mich. — A Mid-Michigan community working together, trying to find a bone marrow match for a local middle schooler.
Eric Hatton was diagnosed with leukemia a few months ago. Doctors told his family he needs a bone marrow transplant, so the town is holding an event to find one.
Dozens of people came to the event. We were able to speak to his family about the town's help and his journey fighting the disease.
"We just got a call in early February saying you need to take him to the hospital," Eric's father Ron Hatton said.
Eric is a part of the robotics club at school. He enjoys playing video games and playing with his two dogs. But he hasn't been able to do much of that since being diagnosed with leukemia earlier this year.
"It's really been an up and down battle for him right now. A lot of the treatment that he has gone through chemotherapy wise has been outpatient. Unfortunately last, the end of June, it got worse," Ron Hatton said.
That's when the Mason community decided to help Eric find a bone marrow donor. Eric's best friend's mom posted about his story on Facebook, and Dr. Tamara Bauer contacted her holding the event at her office.
"I thought, we can do this and this might just be the beginning of it but if we can start spreading the word and educate people about how easy the testing is, that would be helpful," Dr. Tamara L. Bauer, DDS said.
People involved hope it will help Eric find someone who is a match for him, and if not for someone else.
"There may be a match in Mason. We are praying for a match in Mason but we might help somebody in Kentucky. And somebody in Kentucky might help Eric. So it's important to get out there and get your bone marrow in the bank," Laura Patterson said. Patterson's son is best friends with Eric.
"I think the outcome that were hoping is that it raises awareness of the need. We're just so overwhelmed by the care and kindness we have seen in this community," Ron Hatton said.
To donate bone marrrow, you need to be between 18 and 24.
Because Eric has a Hispanic background, it is harder for him to find a match.
Click here.
To have a kit mailed to you to test to see if you are a match for Eric, text Swab4Eric to 61474.
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