New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. today announced that his office will host a bone marrow testing drive on May 26 th for Andrew M. Joseph, Deputy Comptroller for Budget. Joseph has been diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), a progressive deterioration of the bone marrow and currently is searching for a compatible donor.

“This drive will serve two purposes: first to register as many people as possible for the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), and second, to find a suitable matched donor for Andy,” Thompson said. “Andy has gone through the NMDP registry and unfortunately has not found a compatible donor.”

“I hope this drive increases the awareness that donations will save lives throughout the country and the world,” Joseph said.

The local drive will be held on the second floor north mezzanine of the Municipal Building from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM. It is being administered by the New York Blood Center, the regional arm of the NMDP. The New York Blood Center, a not-for-profit corporation and one of the nation’s largest community-based blood centers, has registered more than 195,000 potential bone marrow donors since 1987.

Anyone between the ages of 18 and 60 and in good general health can potentially become a volunteer marrow donor. After being educated about the donation process and signing a consent form, volunteers give a small blood sample that will be tested for their HLA tissue type. Volunteers at the drive have the choice of having their blood tested and entered into the National Marrow Donor Program database or to be tested exclusively for Joseph.

Joseph joined the Comptroller’s Office in April 2002. Previously, Joseph served as Deputy Director for Expenditure and Covered Organization Analysis at the New York State Financial Control Board for New York City. Joseph also has held several elected and appointed offices at the Social Service Employees Union Local 371 and served on the staff of the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation.

If interested in registering for the drive, please contact the New York Blood Center at 1-800-NYBLOOD, extension 2. Visit the NMDP website at www.marrow.org to determine your medical eligibility and answer any questions.

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