Chatham Seeks Eligible Donor For Teacher's Daughter With Leukemia

CHATHAM, NJ — A young member of the Chatham community could use your help. Jackie Erb — the 5-year-old daughter of a Chatham High School teacher — was diagnosed with a rare disease called juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML).

The School District of the Chathams and the Chatham Education Association PRIDE committee will hold a drive-through bone marrow screening event from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Chatham High School. They encourage the public to participate.

The event is held in honor of Jackie — the daughter of Chatham High School special-education teacher Brian Erb and his wife, Lauren Gonnella.

"As Brian's co-teacher," said CEA co-President Betsy Long, "I witnessed the devastating steps in December to Jackie's JMML diagnosis firsthand and was heartbroken with him. When I shared the news with our colleagues, the immediate call to help our friend and his family."

Participants will self-administer a cheek swab to check their eligibility as a match. The cheek swab is free for donors ages 18-44 due to the higher success rate from donors in this age range. The swab will cost $100 for those 45 or older, and the individual or the Gonella-Erb family would cover the cost.

Participants will not exit their vehicles during the screening, and all COVID-19 safety protocols will be observed, according to organizers.

Those who want to participate but can't attend the event can get test kits through home delivery via Be the Match. Participants can access them by registering online or texting teamjackie — all one word — to 61474.

“I look forward to supporting efforts this Saturday to identify a bone marrow match and donor for the Gonnella-Erb family," said Dr. Michael LaSusa, superintendent of the School District of the Chathams. I am grateful to the CEA for spearheading this event and supporting the Gonnella-Erb family during this challenging time.”

Contact Candace Hull, CEA PRIDE committee chair, at chull@chatham-nj.org with questions.

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