Bone marrow donors needed to help little boy

Highland Mills — A bone marrow screening for Aiden Berges of Higland Mills will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 22, at Highland Mills Fire Company at 455 Route 32 in Highland Mills. Aiden, diagnosed with a blood disorder called hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, needs a bone marrow transplant. Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis takes two forms: one form is acquired and secondary to an ordinary infection, the other form is hereditary. The acquired form can often be treated and eliminated allowing the person to live a normal life. The hereditary form is often fatal. Aiden and his twin sister, Alexi, had recently experienced a childhood infection. Alexi bounced back as most children do. Aiden did not. When Aiden was first diagnosed, it appeared that he had the acquired, reversible form of the disease. He went through chemotherapy, and it appeared that he had won his battle with the disease. But a few weeks passed, and he fell ill again. He now needs a bone marrow transplant in order to survive. A search of the existing Bone Marrow Registry has failed to provide Aiden with a suitable donor. Information about Aiden’s progress can be obtained at www.caringbridge.org/visit/aidenberges. Several other screenings are scheduled, including testing from 1 to 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 23, at Good Samaritan Hospital’s 1st Floor Auditorium at 255 Lafayette Ave in Suffern. The process of being tested as a possible bone marrow donor is simple. A short questionnaire needs to be filled out, and a small tube of blood taken. To participate in the Highland Mills screening, call 928-9029.