Are you Mike’s lifesaving match? Order your swab kit and find out if you are his hero! 

Mike is a 51-year-old husband and father of two boys, 11 and 9 years old, and has a fulfilling career in the health insurance industry. But on May 21, 2025, Mike went to the emergency room with ongoing pain in his foot. When doctor's found a blood clot and ran a series of tests, they realized his blood counts were not normal, and they asked for a marrow biopsy.

Based on those results he received the worst possible news – he was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and immediately started on chemotherapy. 

To defeat AML and recover his health, Mike needs a peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) or bone marrow transplant from a donor who shares his same tissue type. About 70% of patients do not have a match within their family and must rely on the registry to search for a donor.

That’s where you come in! You could be Mike’s lifesaving hero without even knowing it. All it takes is a swab of your cheek to find out if you are a match for him or another patient in need. Mike is a native New Yorker born in Queens, and his best chance of a match is with someone who shares his genetic heritage. Mike's parents are originally from Belgium and Chile.  

If you are of European or Latin American ancestry – or both! – you could possibly be Mike's match. 

Our goal is to help Mike beat this diagnosis and get him back to living. Being there for his wife and sons means everything to him. 

More about Mike

Mike has worked in the health care insurance industry for 20 years. He gives back to his community as a volunteer little league coach, and also participates in travel baseball with his two sons.  He is a dedicated, active and adored coach, often coaching multiple teams each season for Port Youth Activities in Port Washinton, N.Y.  He is also the assisant football coach for his son's team. 

Mike's wife Laura has been by his side throughout this entire journey, and she and their boys look forward to the day when he recovers his health.  

In his free time, Mike and his entire family are huge Mets fans, rarely missing any game on TV, and attending many games in person as a family each season. Baseball is a huge part of their lives.  Let’s make sure this beautiful family has an incredible future together.

How you can help

• Join the registry! Click on the blue "Join Registry" button. 
  • Donors in general good health between 18 and 35 years old may join the registry. Donors over the age of 35 can also join, but we ask that you to please donate $60 to offset the lab fees – Click here to learn why.  
  • Eighty percent of donors requested by transplant centers are 18 to 35 years old for medical reasons – Click here to learn why Age Matters.
  • Donors can remain in the registry until their 61st birthday – Click here to learn why the registry has an Age Limit.
  • Certain medical conditions may mean you are not able to join the registry or donate – Click here to check the Conditions List. If you're not sure, a health history questionnaire is part of the registration process.
• Sponsor a swab kit. Click on the orange "Give to My Circle" button. Lab processing of every kit costs $60. Your contribution will help add new donors to the registry, who may be a match for Mike or another patient. 
• Spread the word. Use the social media links to the right to share Mike's story in your Facebook and Twitter account. The more people who order a swab kit and join the registry, the faster he will find a donor.