The Stand
Fraternity to hold bone marrow drive for local toddler
The Iota Kappa Lambda Graduate Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. and The Alpha Foundation will host its second annual cook-off fundraiser from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, at the The CNY Philanthropy Center, 431 E. Fayette St.
And this year, the Alphas will host a bone marrow drive for 2-year old King Nazir Leon (Baby King) of Syracuse.
They have entitled the event “Kings Who Cook For A King,” because Alphas are called Kings due
to their rich history of leadership and advocacy for their communities.
In addition to the bone marrow drive, “Kings Who Cook For A King” will allow patrons to experience the amazing culinary talents of each participating member of the chapter. There will be several entrees, side dishes and desserts. This fundraiser will benefit the fraternity’s educational programming and scholarship fund for young men, while celebrating the legacy of their fraternity’s beloved Brother Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Advance tickets can be obtained through members of the Iota Kappa Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. and are $25 for adults, $15 for youth and free for children under 5. Tickets can also be purchased at the door for $30 (adults).
The bone marrow drive is open to the public. There is no need to purchase a ticket to join the registry.
Baby King was born with CD40, a hereditary immune deficiency, and receives treatment at Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital. Without a bone marrow transplant, his condition will become fatal. Baby King is African-American, and racial and ethnic heritage are important factors in determining a bone marrow match as patients are most likely to match someone of their own race. Of the 12 million people signed up for the Be The Match bone marrow registry, only 7 percent are African-American.
Adding diversity to the registry will increase the likelihood that all patients will be able to find the life-saving match that they need.
Joining the registry is easy. To be eligible, you must be between the ages of 18 and 44, be in general good health and willing to donate to any patient in need. To register at the event, you can fill out an application and have your cheek swabbed.
For information on the bone marrow drive, contact Paula Miller at (315) 476-3000 x2576 or info@wgpfoundation.org. For more on the fundraiser, contact Erin Smith at (315) 876-1024 or Apaikl1906@gmail.com.
Above image: King Nazir Leon, 2, sits between portraits of his two uncles, Dayvon and Daqwan DeLee, who passed away from complications of a CD40 Ligand deficiency. It is a hereditary immune disease that King also inherited. | Photo by Leonard Adams
