FARMINGTON HILLS (WWJ) - After several donor drives and many prayers, one family in Metro Detroit continues the search for a bone marrow donor match for their 6-year-old son diagnosed with a rare blood disorder.
Out of the tens of millions of registered donors in the Be The Match registry, not a single one is a perfect match for the Ryder Washington, 6, of Farmington Hills.
But that is not stopping the Washington family with their search; they hope to encourage the community to turn out for the their next scheduled drive this Sunday, April 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Citadel of Faith located at 1419 W. Warren in Detroit.
"“Have an open mind,” Ryder's mother, Kimberli Washington, said. “Just a small simple gesture, a minor inconvenience for you could save my child’s life.”
Ryder was scheduled to undergo a bone marrow transplant earlier this month to stop his rare blood disorder from progressing to cancer, but the transplant was postponed due to further testing on Ryder's father and brother who are potential donors.
Ryder was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome in February 2021, when his parents took him to the pediatrician after he lost his first tooth and did not stop bleeding.
Boston Children’s Hospital said MDS, a disorder that interferes with the bone marrow's ability to produce all types of blood cells, occurs in 4 out of every million children. According to Boston Children’s, in about one-third of cases, it progresses to a pernicious type of leukemia that’s harder to cure and associated with worst outcomes than leukemia without MDS origins.
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Ryder's doctors say time is of the essence, and a bone marrow transplant is the best course of action for him. In Ryder’s case, they say the chance of his MDS progressing to cancer is “very likely.”
Washington said no cancer has been detected in Ryder’s body yet: “The key for us is to go in before the cancer comes.”
They're holding onto hope that a perfect match is out there but hasn't been found.... yet.
“Even if you’re on the fence, come out,” she said. “There will be people from Be The Match who can educate you.”
According to Be The Match, the bone marrow donation process is typically an outpatient surgical procedure done under anesthesia and preceded by a physical. Possible side effects from donation include muscle or back pain that typically resolves within a few weeks. There are no long-term effects on the donor.
Be The Match and the patient’s insurance will cover all costs associated with donating, according to the non-profit.
Donors will be kept anonymous from the recipient family for at least a year (and vice versa). After that time, if both parties agree, Be The Match will unveil their identities to one another. Often, donor and recipient will form a lifelong bond.
"I can't wait for the day when it's all over and Ryder can meet his donor," Washington said.
In the meantime, Washington said Ryder is focusing on having fun with family and enjoying playdates with his friends.
“It’s something I’ve really learned from him,” she said. “He lives a good life.”
How to join Team Racing4Ryder if you can't come out on Sunday:
-Click this link or text Racing4Ryder to 61474.
-Or you can scan the QR code here. (Scroll down). At these links, you will also be able to request a free at-home swab and test kit.
-You can live anywhere in the country and still be a potential donor for Ryder.
-You must be between the ages of 18 and 40 and in good health. See list of disqualifying health conditions.
- Take a picture of yourself swabbing your cheek to show Ryder and the Washington family how many people are rallying behind them.
-If you are not eligible to be a donor, you can still help the family by spreading the word and encouraging your loved ones who meet the guidelines to register as potential donors. Washington said they also need all the "good vibes and prayers" they can get.
You can keep up with Ryder's story on Racing4Ryder.com.
Keep in mind: If you’re not a match for Ryder, you may still save someone else’s life. Bone marrow/stem cell transplants can cure over 70 blood diseases and blood cancers, including leukemia, lymphoma, sickle cell, and aplastic anemia. According to Be The Match, 70% of people do not have a matched donor within their family and an unrelated match through the registry is their only hope.
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