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Wayne Cancer Survivor Inspires Son To Make A Difference

WAYNE, N.J. – Jackie Prince of Wayne would likely not be alive today if it wasn’t for her bone marrow donor.

Seth Prince of Wayne poses with his mother, Jackie Prince.

Seth Prince of Wayne poses with his mother, Jackie Prince.

Photo Credit: Seth Prince
Jackie Prince of Wayne sits with her bone marrow donor, Arielle Dufour.

Jackie Prince of Wayne sits with her bone marrow donor, Arielle Dufour.

Photo Credit: Seth Prince

“My prognosis was very bleak,” explained the mom of two, who in August 2015 was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia, an aggressive cancer of the blood and bone marrow.

Prince said she went through five rounds of chemotherapy, and still needed the transplant.

“I either had to have the stem cell (transplant) or I wouldn’t survive. It really saved my life,” she said.

Through it all, her family stuck by her side.

And now, her youngest son is taking it upon himself to make a difference in the lives of others in need of bone marrow donors.

For his Eagle Scout project, Seth Prince, 15, is hosting a bone marrow match event to find more donors for Be The Match, the organization that connected his mother with her donor.

“The project is my way of paying it forward,” said Seth, a sophomore at Wayne Hills High School.

The event will take place during Wayne Day, on Sunday, June 11, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Wayne Valley High School. Seth, his mother and a representative of Be The Match will be on hand to raise awareness and hand out cheek-swabbing kits.

The swabs, which are used to test for matches, can be handed back on premises, and sent out for testing.

“There are so many people that can’t find matches and these people die. It is important work,” said Jackie, adding “I am very proud of Seth.”

Jackie said she is now cancer free, and being watched closely by her doctors. And she is so thankful to her donor, Arielle Dufour.

Arielle will also be on hand Sunday to talk about her experience.

Those who are interested in becoming a donor, but who are not able to attend Wayne Day, can also register online at: http://join.bethematch.org/wayneday.

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