Document text
Little girl returns for chemotherapy Many people take tests in search for bone marrow donor By SUSAN JAY Brittany Prescott still needs a bone marrow donor, and Rogue Valley residents are coming forward to be tested. The 6-year-old Klamath Falls girl was back in Rogue Valley Medical Center Tuesday for more chemotherapy in her battle against leukemia. Twenty people had their blood drawn for testing Tuesday at Medford's American Red Cross office, the first step in joining the bone marrow donor registry. Last week's news reports on the race to save Brittany's life compelled many to volunteer. In all, 58 local residents have had their blood drawn, and 36 more are scheduled. A dozen Bend and Klamath Falls residents also made appointments for blood drawings in Bend. The Oregon Donor Center in Portland received 130 calls last week from people asking how to donate on Brittany's behalf. "We're just overwhelmed by the response we've gotten," said Angie Prescott, Brittany's mom. "If people decide not to give this time, maybe they'll decide to give next time, or be more aware of children with cancer." Brittany's story hit home with workers at Timber Products, where employees asked if the company would pay the $32 lab testing fee. Officials said "Yes" Tuesday, said Dave Pope, superintendent of the particleboard division. Judith Stevens, head of customer service at the local Red Cross chapter, said those interested in contributing or becoming possible bone marrow donors can call the Red Cross at 773-3813. The Prescott family has spent thousands of their own money and from donated funds to defray previous testing costs. More than 1,100 people in Oregon have registered with the bone marrow donor program since February because of two public drives sponsored by Brittany's family. No donors with the correct DNA match, however, have been identified. Last week four potential donors were identified by Noreen Leyden, transplant coordinator for oncology patients at Oregon Health Sciences University, but two still need to be located and more tests are required for the others, she said. Brittany's battle with leukemia started three years ago. Her disease went into remission a year later, but she relapsed last October. Since then, she has come to RVMC every three weeks. For five days she is hooked up to an IV that drips 14 chemotherapy drugs into her system. "We're doing good," her mother said Tuesday from the hospital. Brittany, who rarely complains about the painful treatments, is ``really hanging in there," she added. Brittany said she's excited about a four-day trip to Disneyland later this month. "Ariel is going to be there in person," she said of her favorite heroine in the animated musical "The Little Mermaid." Her trip will be paid for by the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which sponsors the wishes of children with serious illnesses. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA