Mom who fought cancer while pregnant with twins needs another bone marrow donor after 2nd diagnosis

KABC logo
Tuesday, May 28, 2019
SoCal mother of twins needs another bone marrow donor after 2nd diagnosis
A birthday party in San Pedro over the weekend could end up saving a life.

SAN PEDRO, California -- A birthday party in San Pedro over the weekend could end up saving a life.



Susie Rabaca was 8 months pregnant with twins last year when she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukemia. She needed a blood stem cell transplant, and after more than 85,000 people signed up with the Be The Match Registry, a donor was found.



RELATED: SoCal leukemia patient expecting twins finds perfect donor match



A southern California woman pregnant with twins has found the perfect bone-marrow donor just weeks after her touching story went viral.


But after giving birth and having a transplant, the cancer returned and another procedure is required.



SEE ALSO: Texas teacher diagnosed with cancer while undergoing treatment for car crash


Teacher, David Smith, gets horrible diagnosis following car crash.


Sunday's party was held both to lift her spirits and to encourage more people to sign up as possible donors.



"I'm just happy to be here. My doctors let me come home on a day pass to be able to be here with my family, and celebrate my birthday and have Be the Match out here," Rabaca said.



In finding a match, it helps if the patient and the donor share a similar ethnic background.



Rabaca is Hispanic and white. Only 3 percent of the registry is mixed race.



Rabaca's twins, Ryan and Rainy, are healthy and happy along with her other children.



She said she's fighting for all her kids, so she can beat this brutal disease.



More information from Be the Match on becoming a potential blood stem cell donor is available at bethematch.org.

Copyright © 2024 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.