LENOIR CITY (WATE) - An event is planned in Lenoir City to register bone marrow donors and possibly find a donor for the mayor's wife.
Brenda Aikens, who's the wife of Mayor and Chief Deputy Tony Aikens, was recently diagnosed with Myeoldysplastic Syndrome (MDS.)
The Mayo Clinic says myelodysplastic syndromes are a group of disorders caused by poorly formed or dysfunctional blood cells. The syndromes occur when something goes wrong in bone marrow.
There's no cure for myelodysplastic syndromes. Treatment usually focuses on reducing or preventing complications of the disease and its treatments. However, in certain cases, myelodysplastic syndromes are treated with a bone marrow transplant, which may help prolong life.
Brenda Aikens is now in need of a bone marrow transplant, according to a release from the Loudon County Sheriff's Office.
She's 61, a mother of two and a new grandmother. She and the mayor have been married for 31 years.
To register as a bone marrow donor only requires a swab of the mouth.
The registration event is Saturday, September 29 from 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. at Highland Park Baptist Church, 4333 Hwy 11 East in Lenoir City.
You must be between the ages of 18-60, meet the health guidelines and be willing to donate to any patient in need.
Donations are being accepted to help defray the costs of testing. Please make checks payable to the Cooperative Appalachian Marrow Program (CAMP).
Brenda and Tony Aikens (source: Lenoir City Mayor's Office)
