Michael Coppola was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) on May 19, 2007 at the age of 13. Luckily, his younger brother was a match. After multiple rounds of chemotherapy he received a bone marrow transplant on August 13, 2007.

Although he had missed half of his 8th grade year, he went on to graduate middle school and entered Pequannock Township High School with his classmates. He played football and lacrosse in his freshman and sophomore years.

This summer, as he was entering into his junior year and close to his 3rd year post transplant date, 16 year old Michael was not feeling well and received the news that the Leukemia had returned. On Tuesday, August 17, 2010, Michael was admitted to Hackensack University Medical Center to again go through chemo treatments leading to another bone marrow transplant. Now, he needs an unrelated donor and unfortunately he has not found a compatible match in the national registry.

A bone marrow drive was held last Sunday, September 12 at the Pequannock Township High School where over 265 people joined the marrow registry. Family and friends have been fundraising to help cover the cost of adding donors to the registry.

With every $100 raised, The Icla da Silva Foundation can add another life saving donor to the registry. Please consider making a donation of any size by clicking here. Thank you!