Long Island Boy, 8, Needs Bone-Marrow Donor

NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Jake Amato is 8 years old and somewhere out there is someone who could save his life.

Amato has been fighting childhood leukemia since he was four.

The second-grader went into remission in January but his parents say the cancer reappeared in June.

"The second time around is much tougher than the first time around, cause we know what we're in for and we hate it," his mother, Debbie Amato, told 1010 WINS' Terry Sheridan.

LISTEN: 1010 WINS reporter Terry Sheridan reports

Amato remains in chemotherapy and stays at home to avoid infection. The last time Amato went to school the entire second-grade class -- including the teacher -- had shaved their heads to welcome him.

"It felt really good that they did that," Amato said.

Brave Jake will not be going back to school come September; he needs a bone marrow transplant. 

Amato and his family are looking for a match and are urging people to get tested -- with a simple swab -- to see if they might be the one.

The DKMS Marrow Donor Center will hold a drive next Sunday, Aug. 29, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Weldon Howitt Middle School in Farmingdale.