Mama Carmela’s owner needs a stem cell transplant

DARIEN — Mama Carmela’s in Noroton Heights is dotted with photos of the various athletic teams in Darien to support the community throughout its 20 years.

But now, Mama Carmela’s owner, Frank Colandro, needs some of that support in return.

Colandro has been battling cancer for 11 years. He said he beat lymphoma after five years and is lymphoma free, but that fight was not without a cost.

The 320 hours of chemotherapy has destroyed his stem cells, and his doctors say Leukemia is not far off.

“The doctors say its not if, its when,” he said.

Faced with the need to fortify himself for yet another health battle, Colandro took to social media to find a stem cell match.

“I’ve been in the registry for three months and nothing’s come up,” he said.

With his latest blood test numbers not looking promising, Colandro said the social media post was in the hopes that his community would spread the word.

Colandro, a Stamford native and resident, explained the process on his social media post.

Those wishing to test if they are a match can visit BeTheMatch.org/hope, email patientinfo@nmdp.org or call or text 888-999-6743. A kit will be sent and a swab must be taken and sent back with his name included.

Though Colandro comes from a large family, none of his four siblings ended up being a match.