A member of our GMIS family needs our help. Evan, a GMIS alum and older brother of Audrey (Orchid), was diagnosed with a rare genetic immune deficiency disorder called Chronic Granulomatous Disease (CGD).  People who suffer from CGD have little to no ability to fight off certain bacterial and fungal infections. Although Evan manages his CGD with multiple antibiotics and monthly in-hospital treatments, he remains at risk to serious infection for the rest of this life.

Evan's best shot for a cure is a bone marrow transplant. Unfortunately, no one in his immediate family is a match. Evan's next best chance at a cure is finding an unrelated donor of similar ethnic heritage. For Evan, that means his likely donor will be Chinese or Korean, or maybe a bit of each. Unfortunately, people of Asian descent make up no more than 5% of the total number of registered donors.  

As a GMIS family we are doing our part to encourage potential donors to sign up with the bone marrow registry by welcoming a representative from the Asian American Donor Program at our Welcome Back Picnic on Saturday, August 24. 

We hope while you are reconnecting with old friends and welcoming new ones, you will take a moment to register as a potential donor or learn more and help us find a match for Evan.