DETROIT I Bone Marrow Donor Needed For Survival LESLEY PEARL Staff Writer R How about giving them something they'll never ask for. Bless 'em. It seemed as soon as they could talk, they started asking you for the moon. And as sure as the sun rises in the east, you were there to provide it. Well now you can give them something that's truly out of this world. . . a subscription to The Detroit Jewish News. And when they ask you how come? 'Tell them that The Detroit Jewish News is the largest Jewish weekly in the nation. And that every week award winning journalists write about national and international events with caring and sensitivity. Or, that The Jewish News is the best way to find out about local and community news. After all these years of giving your kids the sun, the moon and the stars, give them something that will enrich their world. The Detroit Jewish News. You couldn't ask for a better gift. THE JEWISH NEWS A Publication You Can Put Your Faith In. Save 40% over the newsstand price. Receive 52 award-winning weekly issues plus five Style magazine supplements for only $33.00 (out-of-state $45.00) ❑ Yes! I want to be a faithful reader of The Jewish ❑ Why should I be the only one to enjoy? I'd like to News. I'd like to order my own subscription. VISA ❑ Payment enclosed ❑ Bill my MC send a gift subscription. • amend my mougmmi viii Card # LU. Exp. Date Name Signature Address My Name City State My Address City State Zip Phone Gift card to read Phone Please send all payments along with this coupon to: The Jewish News, 27676 Franklin Road, Southfield, MI 48034 sio minty AI In' ICT 01 1000 Zip aphael Maurice Herschfus beat the odds once. He's hop- ing God and luck are on his side again. Nearly six years ago, the Oak Park dentist was diag- nosed with aplastic anemia — the lack of production of white blood cells by the body. His chances of survival were targeted at 10 percent. An experimental drug called ATG and the expertise of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Wash., fit him into that small range of survival. Now Dr. Herschfus is bat- tling his body again. Nine months ago, during a routine physical examina- tion, Dr. Herschfus's physi- cian noticed a problem in blood count. A biopsy con- firmed Dr. Herschfus had myelodysplastic syndrome — a form of leukemia where white blood cells over- produce but do not mature, crowding out red blood cells and platelets. A bone marrow transplant is Dr. Herschfus' only chance of survival. "Miracles do happen. I proved that once already," Dr. Herschfus said. The members of Shomrey Emunah, the congregation Dr. Herschfus belongs to, are trying to make sure it happens. Sunday, Aug. 23, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., a donor mat- ching drive will be held at the synagogue at 25451 Southfield Rd. "The synagogue has done blood drives before," Dr. Herschfus said. "Members thought this would be just as easy. The whole community is coming together for me." The procedure for screen- ing is referred to as HLA typing. It involves only a blood test. Potential bone marrow donors' blood is run through a series of tests to determine compatibility. A six of six match is perfect. Doctors can use a four or five match. It is preferable that the donor is a family member — the similar genes lessen the chance of rejection by the body. If a family member does not match closely, the next best option is a member of the same ethnic group. If a suitable donor is found, bone marrow is extracted from the hip and given to the patient intravenously after chemotherapy has wiped the non-functioning cells from the body. If Dr. Herschfus finds a donor, his chances of sun vival range between 25 and 50 percent. A few months ago, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (named after the former Detroit Tigers coach, Dr. Herschfus added) located two potential donors — one in Holland, the other in France. One match was not close enough and the other donor backed out. Dr. Herschfus said he i23 not bitter and understands the fear of potential donors, although there is virtually no risk involved in the extraction of bone marrow. The best hope for Dr. Herschfus now is his infart daughter. She is a four of six match and a family member — a good chance for accep- tance of the bone marrow. However, Dr. Herschfus will have to wait at least six months before the surgery can be performed due to the small size of the infant. Doctors aren't sure Dr. Herschfus can wait that long. For more information about donor matching, cal' 557-4007 or 559-2295. ❑ NEWS Group Files Material Claims New York (JTA) — A new international coalition of Jewish groups has been formed in Jerusalem to seek restitution for Jewish in- dividual and communal assets seized by Nazi and communist governments iri Eastern Europe. The formation of the Jew- ish Restitution Organiza- tion, which united eight es- tablished Jewish groups, marks the first effort to ad- dress reparations from East- ern European nations._ rather than just Germany. The decision to launch this ' project was made in June in Madrid during a meeting of the Conference of Jewish Material Claims Again Germany, which is a mem- E. ber of the new group. Edgar Bronfman, presi- dent of the World Jewish' Congress, which is also a c, constituent of the new group, will serve as chair- man.