MatchJake Bone Marrow Donor Swab Event

Before retiring to Point Pleasant, Jim & Maureen Larkin were long-time residents of South Orange. It was in S.O. that they raised their 4 children, who attended Our Lady of Sorrows, Columbia High School & Seton Hall. 

Their son Bob Larkin (CHS '79), moved to San Francisco, and is now happily married with 3 children of his own.

On February 17, 2012, Bob's son Jake Larkin -- who was only 5 1/2 years old -- was diagnosed with Severe Aplastic Anemia, a rare blood disorder in which his bone marrow stopped making new blood cells. Each year, this disorder strikes only 6-9 people per million worldwide.

His only hope for a cure is a bone marrow transplant, which is simple & painless. A worldwide search was done of all the bone marrow banks, but no match was found for little Jake.  

So the Larkin family, as well as many of their dedicated friends, began their own search. They have been holding in-person bone marrow donor swab events to see if they can find Jake's match. All it takes is a simple cheek swab with a Q-tip to see if someone could be a potential donor. They have not yet found a match, and time is getting short.

A potential donor only needs to be between the ages of 18-60 years old, and meet the medical guidelines: www.marrow.org

Jimmy Cryan, own of Cryan's Beef & Ale House, and a long-time friend of the Larkins, has graciously offered up his establishment to the family to host an event.    

It will be taking place on Friday, Aug. 24th, from 4:00pm-8:00pm: www.cryans.net

Luckily for Jake, this is also the same day Cryan's will be having their 30th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION, so the volunteers hope to swab many potential donors, particularly those of full or partial Irish decent, like Jake.

For CRYAN'S 30th ANNIVERSARY, all drinks will be $3 from 4pm-midnight, there will be a complimentary buffet from 4-6pm, prizes & giveaways, as well as a Reunion/Celebration with the band that started it all 30 years ago.....the Amazing Art and Wonderful Willie!

Jake has generated worldwide media attention. Below are just a few links to on-air, online & newspaper articles:

GOOD MORNING AMERICA: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/bone-marrow-donor-16651020

FOX NEWS MILWAUKEE: http://fox6now.com/2012/08/18/family-hope-to-find-life-saving-cure-at-irishfest/#ooid=ptcTNvNTq-1eJcrTOnyZmUP4SbYCvH6o

THE ASBURY PARK PRESS: http://www.app.com/article/20120724/NJNEWS/307240055/Family-seeks-bone-marrow-match?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Cimg%7C%7Cp

THE ALTERNATIVE PRESS: http://thealternativepress.com/articles/be-the-match-become-part-of-the-bone-marrow-reg

HOMETOWNE TV NEWS: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMO7LHBDuH8

YOUTUBE VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7Ve-0zdjfE

For more information on Jake, please visit his website: www.MatchJake.org.

To follow his progress, you can 'Like' him on Facebook: www.facebook.com/matchjake

Hope to see you all at Cryan's for their BIG CELEBRATION and maybe we will finally find a match for Jake!