Airam da Silva, Executive Vice President of The Icla da Silva Foundation, stands in front of a painting of his sister Icla.

Several minutes into our meeting, Airam da Silva, Executive Vice President of The Icla da Silva Foundation, receives an urgent phone call.

It was a representative of the New York Blood Center, calling to notify him of a perfect match between a potential donor and recipient.

Another child’s life will be saved, thanks to the Foundation’s efforts. “This is our seventh match this year!” exclaims Airam with excitement in his eyes.

Since 1992 the Foundation has worked to secure the highest possible quality of life for children afflicted with leukemia and give those in need of life-saving bone marrow transplants greater access to potential donors.

Alci da Silva, Airam’s father, started the Foundation to honor his 13-year-old daughter’s wish. During her last weeks of life, Icla wrote a note saying all she wanted was to be cured of leukemia and help people in need of bone marrow transplants.

Icla was diagnosed with leukemia in 1989. The diagnosis came after Icla, an avid jazz dancer, started experiencing severe pain in her legs and arms. When her family could not find treatment in their native Brazil, they moved to the United States in search of a donor.

The da Silvas received overwhelming support from neighbors in their Roosevelt Island community. In fact, the Love Thy Neighbor campaign raised nearly one third of the $150,000 needed for Icla’s transplant.

However at that time, 99% of donors registered with the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) were Caucasian. And as the da Silvas learned, the chances for a match with a person from a different ethnic group are one in a million. Despite intense efforts by family members and friends, a suitable donor was never found.

Shortly after Icla’s death the Foundation was started. “My father began educating people and encouraging them to Join the Registry,” Airam shares, “specifically minorities.” To date more than 48,000 people have been registered with the NMDP, as a result of the Foundation’s efforts, and 35 patients have received transplants from these registrants. In addition, more than 270 families have received logistical, emotional and financial assistance from the Foundation.

Alci and Airam began consulting with David Higger and Annaliese Dettleff, of Higger & Associates, LLC, two years ago. “We simply wanted to be certain the Foundation was properly insured,” shares Airam. “But David has lots of experience with fundraising and recruitment. He has been a tremendous source for information and great ideas.”

The Foundation will hold its 13 th Annual Fundraising Dinner & Dance on Thursday, October 27 th at Water’s Edge in Long Island City. Five Gift-of-Life Awards, which are given to donors, will be presented. The highlight of the evening will be the first meeting between an 11-year-old recipient and her adult donor.

To learn more about The Icla da Silva Foundation or the Annual Fundraising Dinner & Dance, please contact the Foundation at (212) 593-1807 or visit www.icla.org.