Names of Note: Modesto girl got a bone marrow transplant. Now she’s helping the cause
Two years ago, Piper Sousa was 8 years old and awaiting a bone marrow transplant. The Modesto girl finally got it in June 2020, and she is doing well today.
The Sousa family is helping put on a Feb. 26 event that will raise money and awareness for the marrow donor registry. It is a five-kilometer run/walk at East La Loma Park, from 8 a.m. to noon that Saturday.
Piper needed a transplant after being diagnosed with aplastic anemia, a rare condition that causes the bone marrow to stop producing enough blood cells. Modesto Bee reporter Erin Tracy wrote about her search for a donor.
Piper underwent the transplant at the UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital in Oakland. The donor was a Louisiana man named Connor.
“She’s now healthy and thriving and we are wanting to give back and help others find their life-saving matches,” family friend Sarah Rocha said in an email to The Bee. “Many people don’t have matches, and with COVID, matches are down along with monetary donations.”
The event is named the 2022 Dash To Be The Match 5k For Piper. She will be among the runners on the 3.1-mile course. Participants pay a $10 entry fee and seek donations from supporters.
More information about the registry in general is at www.wesavelives.bethematch.org.
Panda Express delivers for kids
Panda Express restaurants raised $736,633 in their latest campaign for Valley Children’s Healthcare.
Customers and employees at 44 locations from Modesto to Porterville donated to the 2021 drive. The money goes to Panda Cares Center of Hope, which provides physical therapy, emotional support and other services for young patients.
The Chinese food chain has raised about $3.8 million over 13 years for Valley Children’s. It has a main hospital near Fresno and other sites around the San Joaquin Valley, including the Pelandale Specialty Care Center in Modesto.
“Funds raised through Panda Express’ efforts support vital patient services that help children and their families reduce the effects of stress caused by illness, injury and hospitalization,” said Rob Saroyan, president of Valley Children’s Healthcare Foundation, in a news release.
And finally ...
Five people in and near Stanislaus County are among the 17 new members of the Almond Leadership Program. They will spend a year learning about food safety, marketing, nutrition and other industry topics.
The program is sponsored by the Almond Board of California, based in Modesto. The local members:
- Ian Darling, director of sales for Monte Vista Farming Co.
- Thomas Fantozzi, sales manager with Synagro Technologies, who also works on his family’s farms near Patterson and Tracy
- Ken Peelman, who was a pest control advisor and now is director of grower relations for Monte Vista Farming
Bethany Couchman, a manager for irrigation and nutrients at Eagle’s Rest Farms
Kaisa Spycher, a fourth-generation farmer with a range of duties for her family’s Spycher Farms Inc.
Names of Note recognizes people and organizations for their contribution to their communities. Submit items to jholland@modbee.com.
This story was originally published February 5, 2022 at 7:00 AM.
