Community Corner
Murrieta Boy Still in Need of Bone Marrow Match
Those willing to find out whether they are a match for 9-year-old Ricky Martinez or someone else in need can register during two local sports opening days Friday and Saturday.
Local youth sports events will be the backdrop Friday and Saturday as the search continues for a bone marrow match for a Murrieta boy.
and is need of a bone marrow transplant from a matching donor. Those who missed a are welcome to come out during opening days for Murrieta-Temecula Friday Night Lights flag football league and Murrieta Valley PONY Baseball League.
Fom 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, at , a booth will be set up during FNL's opening games. Those interested can fill out a form and turn in a cheek swab of their DNA. They will then be entered into a national database managed by Be The Match Foundation.
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Then from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, potential donors can register during opening day for Murrieta Valley PONY Baseball at the MVP League Complex, 41580 Fig Street, Murrieta.
Ricky played for Murrieta Valley PONY Baseball until he was diagnosed in August 2011. He also played football with Murrieta Valley Pop Warner, his father, Oscar Martinez said.
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"The battle against the disease continues and we are still looking for a match for Ricky," Oscar said. "There is no match as of yet. We are still battling but he is in good spirits."
Find out more about Ricky's condition and how to help by visiting the Team Ricky web page on Bethematchfoundation.org.
Donor registrants must be 18 or older.
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