By Julie Shapiro
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
TRIBECA — The best present Benjamin Flores could get for his birthday next month would be a bone marrow match.
Benjamin, who turns 3 on March 13, is battling leukemia and may need a bone marrow transplant to make a full recovery.
On Sunday, the Gymboree in TriBeCa will host a blood drive and donor search for Benjamin. Although he lives in Westchester, he and his parents have many friends in lower Manhattan who wanted to do something to help, said Casey Marty, 30, a Financial District resident and longtime friend of Benjamin's mother.
Benjamin was diagnosed at the beginning of December and has responded well to chemotherapy so far, Marty said. His cancer is now in remission, but if it comes back, Benjamin will need a bone marrow transplant. His family wants to find a good match now in case his condition declines quickly.
"It's better to be prepared," Marty said.
During Sunday's event, adults will be able to donate blood and get a quick cheek swab test to determine whether they could be a bone marrow match for Benjamin. Meanwhile, children 5 and under can play in Gymboree's indoor space for free.
Marty and Benjamin's mother, Bernisse Flores, grew up together in the Philippines and moved to New York in 2000. Their sons are about the same age and are friends, Marty said.
Benjamin loves Thomas the Tank Engine and already knows his ABCs. He is calm and friendly, preferring to contemplate one object on a playground rather than racing around to each in turn, Marty said.
"Benjamin is a thinker, even at a young age," Marty said. "He likes to build things. He's like a little engineer."
The blood and bone marrow drive will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 27 at Gymboree, 100 Reade St.
