Blood drive to help Oak Park graduate

Tim Potter Tim Potter, a 2007 graduate of Oak Park High School, was diagnosed with acute leukemia last year. On March 4 he underwent a bone marrow transplant with marrow donated by his brother, Stephen, also an OPHS graduate.

Tim Potter is still a patient at UCLA, waiting to see if the transplant will be effective. He will need blood transfusions for at least six weeks.

Potter has a rare blood type, A negative. A blood drive will take place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sat., March 28 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 6100 Doubletree, Oak Park.

Anyone with A negative or O negative blood is asked to donate their blood for Potter; however, all blood types are requested.

Those who don't know their blood type are invited to come to the blood drive as well. Walkins are welcome on donation day, but appointments are preferable. Appointments may be scheduled through the UCLA Blood and Platelet Center by calling Faye Cortez at (310) 594-5049.

Potter is also in need of platelets. Any blood type can donate platelets. For further information about donating blood, go to www.gotblood.ucla.edu. Note on the site that the donation is for Tim Potter.

In addition to the blood drive, City of Hope will offer free testing for the national bone marrow registry. Registering requires only a cheek swab. Normally the procedure costs $25, but City of Hope will offer it free of charge at the blood drive.

For more information, call Catherine Wallet at (818) 8790196.