Bone marrow donors sought for Payton Watson

A bone marrow drive will be held Saturday, Nov. 18, on her 10th birthday, to benefit Payton Watson, who was recently diagnosed with leukemia.

Payton is a grade 5 student at Hamilton Elementary School in North Kingstown, and she is the daughter of Sgt. Frank Watson of the Jamestown Police Department and Liz (Goode) Watson, longtime residents of Jamestown.

The drive will be held at North Kingstown High School from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

To be a marrow donor, one must be between 18 and 60 years old and in generally good health. A swab of cheek cells will be taken, and the donor should be willing to help anyone they might match. Testing is free.

For more information on being a marrow donor, call the Rhode Island Blood Center at 800-283- 8385, ext. 548.

The IBPO Local 305 of the Jamestown Police Department has established a medical fund to assist Payton and her family with their needs. They ask that members of the law enforcement community as well as the general public contribute to the "Payton Watson Medical Fund," at IBPO. Local 305 c/o Payton Watson Medical Fund, 250 Conanicus Ave., Jamestown RI 02835.