GILROY
– Diane and Hector Herrera were both at Santa Teresa Hospital in
south San Jose Wednesday for the birth of their family’s third
child.
GILROY – Diane and Hector Herrera were both at Santa Teresa Hospital in south San Jose Wednesday for the birth of their family’s third child.
But while the couple were there to celebrate a new life in baby Katelynn, they were also there because Hector is attempting to preserve his own.
Hector Herrera suffers from leukemia, a life-threatening type of blood cancer. The 28-year-old is currently undergoing intensive chemotherapy to help fight his second bout of active cancer in three years – and family members say he’s in desperate need of a bone marrow transplant.
“He’s on the donor list now,” Diane Herrera said Thursday from her hospital room. “We still haven’t found a match, but that’s pretty much his last hope, to have the transplant.”
Hector Herrera works in the heating and plumbing businesses and has lived in Gilroy all his life. He loves sports – especially football and golf – and can share the passion with the family’s two young boys. David is 7 and Steven is 4.
South County residents can help save the young father’s life – or another patient in need’s life – by taking a few minutes of their time in coming days to learn if they can become bone marrow donors.
The American Red Cross is offering free, simple blood tests to determine donor eligibility this weekend at Santa Clara’s Marriott hotel and April 30 at San Jose City College.
Another test day specifically directed for Hispanics – Herrera’s target population – is slated for May 3. And on weekdays, the Red Cross’ office at 2731 N. First St. in San Jose is also open by appointment for testing.
The test involves a prick of the finger to gather some blood and a health questionnaire. The results are entered into a national database, and citizens are contacted by the Red Cross if they’re a match for any patient.
There’s no obligation to become a donor. However, the organization asks that if citizens intend to donate, they should not go in knowing they won’t donate later if they don’t match for Hector Herrera because it creates false hope for other patients.
“If they don’t match for him, they could possibly be a match for someone else,” Diane Herrera said. “That would be a lot of help.”
The donation procedure involves removal of bone marrow from the hip, and requires an overnight hospital stay.
For more information, contact the Red Cross at (800) 841-1986.
