Rodríguez
tioch family, which also has a year-old daughter. Besides a GoFundMe account, the family, Antioch Police Department and others have partnered for a fundraiser on Saturday to help the family raise money for Adrian’s care. The food truck event will be held from noon to 5 p.m. at the Antioch Community Center, 4703 Lone Tree Way.
Participating food trucks include Golden Gate Gyro, Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard, Boondoggies, Chrome Coffee, Mr. Jalapeño Food Truck and more, with a portion of the proceeds going to the Rodríguez family.
Also on hand will be representatives from the Asian American Donor Program, which is helping the family in case the toddler needs a stem cell transplant and must find a donor match.
“If Adrian goes into permanent remission, we will all celebrate,” says Carol Gillespie, executive director of the Asian American Donor Program.
Gillespie said the group will have an informational table at the event to encourage event-goers to register as possible donors, a process that takes about five minutes. Registration instructions and cheek swabs will be give to people so they can swab in their car. Those unable to attend can request a home kit to be mailed to an address of their choice. To request a kit, visit www.aadp.org/ homekit. Registration is paid for by a grant.
“If Adrian should need a stem cell donor, we don’t want to wait until then to search for his match,” she said. “You could be the one to save Adrian’s life. If you are not a match for Adrian, youcouldbeamatchforanother patient who is searching for a donor.”
Matching is based on one’s human leukocyte antigen tissue type, part of what makes up an individual’s genetic characteristics.
But since Adrian is biracial — Mexican American and Caucasian — it will be harder to find a match, Gillespie said. Multiethnic patients only have an 18% chance of finding a stem cell match while for those of European descent, the chances are 77%, according to the nonprofit.
“Honestly, I feel deep down this is not just for Adrian, but also for the 43 children in the United
States who are diagnosed with leukemia each day,” Lisa Kerr, Adrian’s grandmother, said.
Because of Covid-19 restrictions, the fundraiser will be a “grab and go” type ofevent.
Those who cannot attend can also make donations to the “Adrian Rodríguez Fund” at the Antioch Community Federal Credit Union or online on the family’s GoFundMe site at https://www.gofundme. com/f/adrian-joseph-rodriguez. All donations will go directly to the Rodriguez family, according to Antioch police Sgt. Rick Martin.
For more information, email Martin at rbmartin@ antiochca.gov.