Bone Marrow Drive Being Held To Save The Life Of Jazz Saxophonist Michael Brecker And Thousands Of Lives Each Year

LA JOLLA, CA - September 29, 2005 - A bone marrow drive in honor of internationally renowned jazz saxophonist Michael Brecker will be held on Sunday, October 16th from 1 - 5pm at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center in La Jolla. The goal is to expand the base of the national bone marrow registry, potentially helping to save thousands of lives per year, while simultaneously attempting to find a donor with a sufficiently close genetic match to Brecker.

Brecker was recently diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a life-threatening disease in which bone marrow stops producing healthy blood cells. To survive, he needs a bone marrow transplant using stem cells harvested from a donor's marrow. While he is of Eastern European Jewish descent, people of all backgrounds should consider participating to benefit the broader goal.

Brecker, 56, is an eleven time Grammy winner and one of the world's foremost jazz musicians. He has played and recorded with such luminaries as Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, John Lennon, Frank Sinatra, Eric Clapton, Aretha Franklin, Joni Mitchell, Steely Dan, Billy Joel and James Taylor.

The procedure is quick and painless, involving a simple inner cheek scraping and some paperwork. The Gift of Life organization has agreed to cover all testing costs (normally $40). Testing is limited to persons 18 to 60 years old.

Mark your calendars and bring a friend! Sunday, October 16, 2005 from 1 - 5pm at the Lawrence Family JCC, 4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla, CA or call (858) 457- 3030). For further information, call Wendy Tayer at (858) 350-4680 or email:[email protected].