Solano college student journeys to NY, donates bone marrow to 11-year-old boy

( KRON ) — Solano Community College (SCC) student Jose Solorio potentially saved an 11-year-old’s life through what health officials are calling “a remarkable display of compassion and scientific collaboration,” the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine announced on Wednesday.

According to SCC officials, Solario was completing a summer internship at Stanford’s Laboratory for Cell and Gene Medicine when he was notified that his bone marrow was a perfect match to that of an 11-year-old boy in New York.

In order to make the donation, Solares had to travel all the way to the East Coast, “where bone marrow stem cells were extracted from his and used to treat the young patient,” CIRM said.

“I’ve always had the passion to help others in some way or another and I finally found a way where I can do that,” Solorio said. “My mother, who has been dealing with many health problems, has been a huge influence in helping me pursue this career. I hope that one day I can return the favor,” Solorio added.

Solorio was able to connect with the boy through SCC’s partnership with the National Bone Marrow Registry, which coordinated three recruitment drives on campus.

“These drives, led by Solano Community College’s local chapter of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, Beta Mu Gamma, signed up approximately 70 students each time. Due to the college’s diversity, Solano’s contributions to the registry are particularly valuable, addressing the underrepresentation of diverse samples in the bone marrow registry,” SCC said.

Jose started the biomanufacturing bachelor’s program in the Fall of 2023 with the goal of advancing treatments for currently untreatable diseases using stem cell therapy. He says his family is a big source of inspiration for his journey.

“My family came from Mexico looking for work in the U.S., and they struggled. Despite financial difficulties, my parents always supported me and my brothers. My education is not only a personal goal but a way to give back to my family,” Jose shared in his application essay.

Moving forward, Solares says he hopes to pursue a master’s degree in biomedical engineering.

On October 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the SCC campus will hold an event to find bone marrow matches and will host a blood donation drive at the Pre Med Club Drive on the school’s Fairfield campus.

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