[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 54 (Wednesday, April 24, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H3786]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1730
                  BRAD PELZER BONE MARROW DONOR DRIVE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Miller of Florida). Under a previous 
order of the House, the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Mascara] is 
recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. MASCARA. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to plead the case of 11-
year-old Brad Pelzer from my district who needs a bone marrow 
transplant. Brad is suffering from CML, an adult form of leukemia.
  Until early this year, Brad Pelzer was a typical 5th grader at 
Charleroi Elementary Center, located in my hometown of Charleroi, PA. 
Brad, an honor student, enjoys playing soccer, deck hockey, and using 
his family's computer.
  But in February Brad became ill and by the end of the month he was 
diagnosed with leukemia. Now Brad and his parents, Joe and Josie 
Pelzer, are engaged in a desperate search for someone whose bone marrow 
will match Brad's.
  Brad's doctors say a transplant from such a donor will offer him his 
best hope for beating this very serious illness.
  Like hundreds of other parents faced with a similar situation, Joe 
and Josie are mustering every ounce of courage and hope they can. After 
discovering no family members were a match for Brad, they sought the 
help of local blood bank officials. They have organized three donor 
drives over the next several weeks to seek a potential donor from the 
local community.
  As the chart reflects, the first will be held tomorrow, April 25, 
from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at California University in California, PA. 
Donors should go to the performance center located in the student 
union.
  The second will be held Saturday, April 27, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in 
the north Charleroi fire hall. The third will be held Monday, May 6, 
from 9 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. in the first floor conference room of the 
Washington County Courthouse in Washington, PA.
  Anyone who is 18 to 60 years old is invited to come and give blood 
and be tested. The reward would be so great--giving life to Brad.
  It is very ironic to me that Brad's situation came to my attention at 
this time when the Nation is observing National Organ and Tissue Donor 
Awareness Week.
  His family are long-time friends of mine, his grandparents, Leroy and 
Susan Rotolo and Rita Pelzer, are my neighbors. They are very lovely 
people. Good, solid citizens. And now they must rely upon the goodness 
of the rest of us to help them through this very trying and difficult 
ordeal.
  Situations like this make you reflect on the blessings that have been 
bestowed upon us and how important it is to reach out and be kind and 
helpful to our neighbors and friends.
  Having children and grandchildren of my own, I know exactly how Joe 
and Josie feel. They are looking for an answer and the miracle might be 
a person who is viewing these special orders tonight. You could be the 
one to reach out to Brad Pelzer and help save his life.
  According to material marking National Donor Awareness Week, provided 
by Congressman Moakley, a transplant recipient himself, at any given 
time 43,000 Americans are awaiting a transplant. They are rich and 
poor. They are old and young. And they all need our help.
  The amazing thing is even if you live nowhere near Charleroi, PA, you 
can still help Brad Pelzer, and the thousands of other youngsters in 
need of a bone marrow transplant. The American Red Cross has set up a 
1-800 number you can call to locate the nearest blood bank where you 
can be tested and added to the national bone marrow transplant 
registry.
  Since the bone marrow transplant registry was established in the mid-
1980's, over 1.6 million people have been added to the registry. 
Because the base of donors is growing each year, I am told that 60 
percent of patients find a matched donor on their first search.
  The bottom line is please attend one of the drives in my district, or 
call 1-800-MARROW-2, and help improve the chances for Brad.
  His mom and dad, his brother, Brent, and his grandparents, are all 
praying that you will answer the call. Please help. Hang in there 
Brad--we'll find a match.

                          ____________________