Baton Rouge families, this is a moment where we can come together and truly make a difference. An 11-year-old girl named Cate has come to Baton Rouge in search of a life-saving bone marrow match, and her donor could be anyone.
Cate loves writing stories and dreams of becoming a librarian or author someday. But right now, she is battling bone marrow failure, a condition that prevents her body from making enough healthy blood cells.
Recently, doctors discovered she has developed a TP53 mutation, often called the “guardian of the genome.” When this gene is working properly, it helps protect the body from cancer. When it mutates, the risk of cancer increases significantly and treatment becomes much more complex.
Finding a donor match now is critical.
🧬 How You Can Help
Joining the bone marrow registry is simple—it starts with a quick cheek swab.
- Ages 18–35: Text TeamCate to 61474 to register with National Marrow Donor Program
- Ages 36–55: Request a free kit through DKMS
📍 Baton Rouge Swab Events
Community members ages 18–35 are invited to participate at these local swab events:
- Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University – St. Francis Hall
Date: Thursday, April 23
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. - LSU – Free Speech Alley & the Quad
Date: Friday, April 24
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. - Our Lady of the Lake – Cancer Research & Admin Offices
Address: 7777 Hennessy Blvd., Baton Rouge
Date: Friday, April 24
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
💙 One Swab Can Save a Life
This is part of a nationwide effort to find Cate’s match. Every person who joins the registry gives her—and so many others—a better chance at life.
One swab. One match. One miracle.
🎥 Watch Cate’s story here:
Please consider registering and sharing this with others. Baton Rouge, let’s show up and help find Cate’s match. 💙