Current Issue

The November cover features King Nazir Leon — “Baby King” — who is in need of a bone marrow transplant.

Several registry drives have been held, but still no match.

The challenge? Race is a major factor in finding a match, and only 7 percent of registered donors are African-American.

The Stand’s director Ashley Kang has been on the registry for the last decade. It was important for her to register as a multiracial individual because it is extremely difficult for individuals of mixed race to find a match. It is also challenging for African-Americans because the donor pool is so low.

The Stand is joining up with Team King and will hold a local Bone Marrow Registry Drive from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, at the South Side Innovation Center, located at 2610 S. Salina St. The need for diverse donors is great as the most likely match is someone of your same race. To become a donor, you must be between the ages of 18 and 44 and meet the health guidelines. To learn more about  the local drive, contact organizer Paula Miller at (315) 476-3000, ext. 2576

To find out if you might be that one match Baby King needs attend the Nov. 14 drive, or if you can’t make it, join the registry online at join.bethematch.org/babyking.

In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, Ardena Harvey volunteered her personal survivor story in an effort to help others. She participated in our From Where We Stand storytelling series in the summer of 2014. Before completing the project, she told me she should share her story — how she drove more than 900 miles with her two small children to escape an abusive relationship and start over back home in Syracuse.

Other stories this month include a profile of Clifford Ryan and his O.G. Against Violence campaign to help steer at-risk youth away from the streets and a look at a literacy program at Seymour Academy that helps students who are below the recommended reading level by pairing them with a reading buddy.

This month’s featured dad in our fatherhood series is Nate Brown, better known to many as Peanut, who founded Brownskin Band and plays drums with the group. Tywanna Reese, a close family friend, wrote a touching letter nominating him for his efforts in raising his four children.

She wrote: “Nate works two jobs to ensure his children have what they need and some of what they want, including a full-time stay at home mom. When you are in the Brown’s household it’s not unusual to hear I love you being said and hugs being given out.”