Ramsey Retro Asking Residents To 'Give Me Your Spit'

The Retro Fitness gym on Route 17 in Ramsey is hosting a drive Monday and Tuesday to identify locals who could be bone marrow donors.

The Ramsey location is part of the ‘Give Me Your Spit’ drive happening at local Retro Fitness and Let’s YO locations.

According to a release from the gym, “a longtime friend of the Retro Fitness family was recently diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma,” prompting the drive. “Retro Fitness will be hosting a 'Give Me YourSpit' swab drive to help find a potential bone marrow donor match for those who have been diagnosed with blood cancer,” the release said.

The drive is being organized by Smiles4Shira and DKMS, groups trying to locate a donor match for Shira Klein, a wife and mother of three from Marlboro, who was diagnosed with blood cancer in 2010. Klein has suffered several relapses after treatment and is now looking for a stem cell donor as she undergoes another round of chemotherapy.

According to the Smiles4Shira Facebook page, the group has organized drives in 20 states so far.

Residents will be able to register as a potential donor by swabbing their cheeks at the Ramsey drive Monday and Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Anyone healthy and between the ages 18 and 55 is eligible to donate.

Retro Fitness representatives urged locals to stop by the drive.

“Five minutes of your time could give a lifetime to another,” the release said. “All local community members, friends and family are encouraged to participate.”

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