SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - Extreme Makeover: Home Edition's home in Daybreak is right on schedule. The community has rallied to build a new home for the family of Jonah Gomez. The little boy suffers from a rare blood disorder. Tonight the community rallied again at the Real game to find the lifeline Jonah needs.
The Real Salt Lake game had a few more stars on the field than usual. Michael Moloney and Paige Hemmis from Extreme Makeover: Home Edition took center field during half time. Moloney was impressed by the Utah welcome. "Everyone is so warm and welcoming."
Cast members form the show asked fans to get personal; to give up a few minutes, and get their cheeks swabbed, with the hope they can find a bone marrow match for little Jonah.
Moloney says he is hopeful the match will happen. "Those people are seriously her to support, and to sign up, and they are registering like crazy, and we are going to find that boy a match."
It was not just the Real soccer game involved in the bone marrow drive. Fans at seven other stadiums across the U.S. were also asked to turn the other cheek, and get swabbed. Every year thousands of adults and children need bone marrow transplants, a procedure that could be their only hope of survival. They rely on strangers, who match them genetically, who are willing to give.
So, while Extreme Makeover Home Edition is building the house for Jonah Gomez, they are also looking to build the registry that could not only save his life, but the lives of others.
Paige Hemmis says those who missed the game Saturday can get their cheeks swabbed at the home build site at Daybreak. "Come down and help us at the build and while you are there get a little swab and your little contribution could save someone's life."
You can also visit
www.getswabbed.org for more information on the bone marrow registry
