Kenny Conidaris, a 16-year-old Estero High School student, enjoys fishing, soccer, hanging out at the beach and playing with his four dogs.

At age 12 he was diagnosed with severe aplastic anemia, a disease where the bone marrow stops making enough red and white blood cells and platelets for the body. Patients with aplastic anemia are at risk for life-threatening infections or bleeding. Recently Kenny was also diagnosed with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, or PNH, a disease that can stem from aplastic anemia and occurs when abnormal blood-forming stem cells produce red blood cells with a defective protective layer.

Kenny’s father, Ken, explains that Kenny’s current treatment is like putting tape on a hose that leaks – the tape could hold forever or the hose could explode. “One bone marrow transplant could save Kenny’s life,” he said.

Anyone age 18 to 60 who is willing to donate to any patient in need and meets the health guidelines can join the Bone Marrow Donor Program registry.

See if you are a match for free at the Blood Drive and Bone Marrow Search Saturday, July 18 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Lani Kai on Fort Myers Beach. There will be food, prizes and fun. For more information, call the Lee Memorial Blood Center at 239-334-5333.