GREATEST GIFT; AILING BOY'S MOM ASKS LATINOS TO AID DONOR DRIVE.

Byline: Yvette Cabrera Daily News Staff Writer

Since her son, Kyle, was 15 months old, Marty Rodas has watched him suffer through chemotherapy sessions, shots from two-inch needles and surgery.

The 2-year-old boy is battling leukemia and will die without a bone marrow transplant, typically much harder for Latinos than other ethnic groups.

``It's horrible seeing what they go through,'' said Rodas, 27, an Arleta homemaker. ``You're looking at your child fade away without you being able to do anything for them.''

Because there are so few Latinos registered in the National Marrow Donor Program, Kyle has yet to find a match for a transplant. Marrow types are inherited, so matching tissue is usually found within the same ethnic group.

With the backing of state Sen. Richard Alarcon, D-Van Nuys, and the American Red Cross, Rodas will host a bone marrow drive at the Panorama Mall today and is making a special plea to Latino residents to sign up as donors.

``If anybody believes in giving something and feeling that you mean something, that you're meant to be in this world for a reason, this is it,'' Rodas said. ``This is what really, truly, spiritually it's all about - you giving someone else a chance, whether it's someone you know or someone you don't know.''

Alarcon also rallied behind the bone marrow drives organized for Amador Navarro, 7, of Sylmar, who beat leukemia after receiving a bone marrow transplant in 1997.

``How many times in life do you have the opportunity to know that you have given somebody a life? That far outweighs any discomfort you experience from the procedure,'' Alarcon said.

The first step in becoming a bone marrow donor is giving a blood sample at the registration drive.

If a match is made, the marrow is extracted from the donor in a simple surgical procedure through the back of the donor's pelvis. The donor's marrow is completely replenished in four to six weeks, and the donor may experience a slight discomfort for a week or so in the lower back.

Kyle ``is in chemotherapy, but without the bone marrow transplant there is no hope,'' Alarcon said.

In March, Mario Molina, 5, of Whittier died after receiving a bone marrow transplant in July that was not a perfect match. Though several perfect matches were found, the donors declined to give the transfusion, said Pat Conlee, assistant director for the marrow donor program for the Los Angeles Red Cross.

``I want to make sure that not only Kyle, but all those other children who don't have a voice do have a chance here,'' Conlee said.

Of the 3.5 million volunteer marrow donors registered with the National Marrow Donor Program, only 274,330 are Latinos compared to more than 2 million whites. African-Americans, Asians, Pacific islanders and American Indians also have small registration numbers.

Conlee noted that there are success stories like Amador's and encouraged those who are matched to follow through with the transplant.

``I know this process does work, but just getting enough people on the registry and to understand what their commitment is, is the goal to have these type of successful stories to share,'' Conlee said.

``When you you see that little face (of Kyle's) you say, My God, why wouldn't you want to help this little boy if you could?''

Kyle, whom his mother describes as a ``little spark,'' is in remission. A talkative boy who loves sports and action figures like Superman and Batman, Kyle has remained brave throughout the ordeal.

``We truly realize that my son might not have a chance,'' Rodas said. ``But we do find comfort in that we do believe that God will take care of him. And if my son's name can help somebody else find a match then that will be his gift.''

HOW TO HELP

What: American Red Cross bone marrow drive.

When: today from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: Panorama Mall, 8401 Van Nuys Blvd.

A second bone marrow drive will be held at the Ritchie Valens Recreation Center on Wednesday from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. at 10736 Laurel Canyon Blvd. in Pacoima.

For more information, call the American Red Cross Marrow Donor Program at [phone] Ext. 5595 or [phone].

To become a bone marrow donor you must be between the ages of 18 and 60, in general good health and not excessively overweight. Registration testing includes completing a consent form and having a small blood sample drawn from the arm. The donor's type will be registered with the National Marrow Donor Program until the age of 60.

CAPTION(S):

Photo, Box

PHOTO Marty, left, and Oscar Rodas, right, are calling on people to attend a bone marrow drive for their son, Kyle, 2, who is battling leukemia.

John Lazar/Daily News

BOX: HOW TO HELP (see text)