Donor registry drive planned in Wauconda

Ballet school owner, director has rare form of leukemia and needs a blood stem cell transplant

WAUCONDA – Area residents can take the first step in helping save Melissa Hayden’s life by joining the Be the Match Registry between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. May 8 at the Academy of Ballet Wauconda parking lot, 105 S. Main St. in Wauconda.

Joining the registry is as easy as a simple cheek swab.

Hayden was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia and needs a blood stem cell transplant to survive. She does not have a matched donor in her family or on the Be the Match Registry. Hayden is a mother, wife and teacher. She is the owner and director of the Academy of Ballet in Wauconda and has been a role model for countless young dancers.

The community is asked to come out and join the Be the Match registry to help save the life of Hayden and other patients in need.

Those who attend will have the option of getting swabbed at the Be the Match tent or in the privacy of their cars. Social distancing will be observed.

Those who are unable to attend the donor drive can join the Be the Match Registry by texting Dance4ACure to 61474 or by going to join.bethematch.org/Dance4ACure. After completing a short registration form, cheek swabs will be mailed in a postage paid envelope.