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By now we hope you’ve read Brian Baiotto’s incredible story in the PT<\/a> about the even more incredible Dallas Humphreys, an 11-year old East Long Beach Pony player who has leukemia. <\/span>It’s inspiring, devastating stuff, and it’s the kind of story guaranteed to make you realize what’s important in your life. <\/span><\/p>\n We’ve been following Dallas’ story for a little while now, and we’ve compiled a short list of ways you can help him, his family, and all patients suffering from leukemia. <\/span>Please take the time to check a few things off this list—Long Beach has always proven itself to be an incredible community, from residents donating dollar bills to a young Billie Jean King so she could begin her tennis career to 12,000 screaming, supportive fans showing up for the CIF semifinal football match between Poly and Lakewood. <\/span>This is bigger than any of that, and now is the time when having a community actually matters—this is what great communities suit up for.<\/p>\n 1—Write Dallas a note<\/b>. Doctors say a positive attitude is essential to recovery from such a serious illness. <\/span>Dallas is about as positive as you could imagine a young man enduring such tribulations being, but he could always use more encouragement and support from anyone, whether you know him or not. <\/span>Visit the guestbook on his website<\/a> and let him know you’re rooting for him. <\/span>While you’re there, check out his journal—it’s unbelievable stuff and, like we said, guaranteed to set your priorities straight.<\/span><\/p>\n 2—Help the family out. <\/span><\/b>The costs associated with this kind of long-term care (Dallas will only spend a handful of days in 2009 at home, out of the hospital) can be staggering, and the family obviously has bigger things to worry about. <\/span>If you can help and you’re so inclined, you can donate money at the snack stands at the East LB Pony and Heartwell Pony fields, or at D&D Sporting Goods. On May 30th<\/sup> at 6pm, a fundraiser will be held at The Winery in Los Alamitos. <\/span>If you’d like more info on the fundraiser, contact Diane Munoz at dianemunoz3@yahoo.com<\/a> or Michele Antonaras at momof2catchers@msn.com<\/a>. <\/span>Dallas’ journal will be updated with any further events, and we’ll of course post any we hear about on the site.<\/span><\/p>\n 3—Fight leukemia by becoming a marrow donor. <\/b>This may be the most important step, and we hope you don’t skip it. <\/span>Each year, 10,000 Americans need a bone marrow transplant—6,000-7,000 won’t find a match in their family. <\/span>That means to fight leukemia, patients need the help and support of their community. <\/span>Since donor matches tend to fall along race\/ethnicity lines (and mixed race\/ethnicity lines), the support of a diverse community like Long Beach is essential to this program’s success.<\/span><\/p>\n Because of the local impact leukemia has had (in addition to Dallas’ story, the Dirtbags lost a family member last week when Bob Corrales, father of pitcher Josh Corrales, passed away due to leukemia—he was unable to find a donor match), there are local donor registration drives going on.<\/p>\n If you’re going to the Dirtbags games on Saturday and\/or Sunday, please take a few minutes to sign up. <\/span>All you have to do is complete your registration form, and swab the inside your cheek—you’ll only donate if they’ve found a match, in other words, if you know you’ll be helping to save someone’s life.<\/p>\n