Are you Romi’s lifesaving match? Order your swab kit and learn if you are her hero! 

Five days before her first birthday, Romi was diagnosed with Mixed Phenotype Acute Leukemia (MPAL), a rare form of blood cancer. She urgently needs a bone marrow transplant from a matching donor as this is her best chance of a cure. 

When Romi had a cold that didn't seem to go away and showed some unusual bruising, her parents Shira and Joel Marmet took her to the doctor, who suggested a blood test. A few hours later they received an urgent call from the hospital saying that Romi had a life-threatening condition and needed to come in immediately for more tests. In the emergency room, doctors confirmed the devastating news that she had leukemia. 

A few days later, they learned that due to the genetic makeup of the leukemia, a bone marrow transplant is the best possible treatment for Romi. For the transplant to be successful, the donor must share the same HLA tissue type as Romi, which can be tested with a Gift of Life swab kit when you join the registry – a quick swab of the inside of your cheek can determine if you are Romi's lifesaving match, or if you may match another patient searching for a donor. 

Romi loves music and books, and being outdoors watching the people and animals around her. Her sisters and brother are musicians and Romi loves to listen to them play and sings along with them. She loves being with her siblings, and while in the hospital her favorite toys were the musical instruments. 

She also loves books and enjoys flipping the pages, and especially looking at pictures of babies and children. 

We are actively searching for Romi's matching donor, and her lifesaving hero may be you! 

Due to the need for a donor who shares her tissue type, Romi’s best chance of a match is with someone who shares her genetic heritage.

Romi’s family is of Eastern European and Moroccan ancestry, so her best chance of finding a matching bone marrow donor is among these communities.

Our goal is to help this beautiful and happy child beat this diagnosis and give her the best chance at a normal life with her devoted parents and siblings. 

How you can help 

• Join the registry! Click on the blue "Join Registry" button to the right of Romi's picture. 
  • 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 Romi or another patient. 
• Spread the word. Use the social media links to the right to share Romi's story in your Facebook and Twitter account. The more people who order a swab kit and join the registry, the faster Romi will find a donor.