MIAMI – On Saturday, Feb. 21, from 10 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Sunrise Holiday Inn – 3003 North University Drive, Sunrise the Real Salt Lake MLS soccer team, Soccer Unites and DKMS, the largest bone marrow donor center in the world will hold a life saving bone marrow donor drive in honor of Marcia Karyo-Williams, the beautiful mother, and wife of Jamaican National team and MLS Real Salt Lake player Andy Williams.
They will also hold the drive on Sunday, February 22, at Church of the Ascension located at 11201 SW 160th St. (South Miami) 9:30 a.m. to noon.
Marcia needs to find a matching donor to save her life and urges everyone to attend the event register and be tested.
Marcia and Andy Williams
Marcia shares her story, “My husband, Andy Williams, is a professional soccer player and is currently playing for the MLS team, Real Salt Lake. He also is a member of the Jamaican National Team. Andy travels a lot in his career, however, when he is home, we do EVERYTHING together as a family. I have come to realize that my girls, Shai, age 14, Lexi, age 5 and my husband, cannot imagine life without me – a reality that we may now have to face.
In May 2008, I found out that my blood counts were very low. On July 3, 2008, we received the terrible news that it was leukemia. My world stopped, I wanted so very badly for it not to be true. I have since learned that my only chance to survive is a bone marrow transplant.
With all the love, help and support we have received, I am still desperately in need of a bone marrow transplant. I am relying on a stranger to save my life. I am asking you, PLEASE, please think about the lives you could save, my life, among many others, moms, dads, babies can be saved if you sign up and become a marrow donor.
“I know the donor who is a match for me is out there, but if you are not tested, I will never find you,” said Marcia. “My children and husband need me in their lives, and I need them”.
Marcia’s daughter, Shai, says this about her mom, “I’m always thinking ‘Will my mom be okay?’ I just hope and pray for the best every single day. My mom needs to be here. For my graduation, for my wedding, for my kids?”
Currently, 10,000 blood cancer patients need a bone marrow transplant, but only 3,000 will receive one.
Marcia’s dear friend, Deb Harper, whom she calls her “angel on earth”, has founded a wonderful organization in her honor where you can learn more about her story at www.soccerunitesutah.com
Register Now
Registering to become a bone marrow donor is quick and easy. It consists of completing a registration form and swabbing your cheeks. Understand your commitment, find out if you are eligible to register as a potential life-saving bone marrow donor and learn about the donation process.
As a non-profit organization, DKMS relies on the generosity of individuals to help finance the $65 cost DKMS pays to tissue type each bone marrow donor who registers. Donations are voluntary. Donate today! Every dollar counts! 100% of your donation will be used to register donors and add them on the National Registry.
