Allegheny County

Hundreds turn out to help local family find bone marrow transplant for baby battling rare condition

ROSS TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Hundreds of people turned out to help a local family searching for a bone marrow transplant for their baby.

Eight-month-old Clementine Blackham’s one-in-a-billion condition is an exceptionally rare gene mutation to her TLR8 gene.

PHOTOS: Hundreds turn out to help local family find bone marrow transplant for baby battling rare condition

She’s one of only ten people ever diagnosed with the condition.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE >> Family searching for bone marrow donor for McCandless baby battling rare genetic condition

To date, young Clementine has already had two major surgeries and 16 blood transfusions.

Sunday’s registration drive at The Block Northway, called Clementine’s Block Party, saw hundreds of people turn out to support the family from McCandless within the first few hours.

Anyone in good health between ages 18-55 is encouraged to attend the registration drive. Potential registrants will review medical eligibility, fill out a registration form, swab the insides of their cheeks, and then drop off their completed packet before leaving the drive.

The drive lasted until 6 p.m. Sunday.

If you’d like to learn more about becoming a bone marrow donor, click here.

If you’d like to donate to the Blackham family, click here.

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