Steve Buscemi (left) with firefighters Tim Hogan. (credit: Carol D'Auria/1010 WINS)
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — Actor and former city firefighter Steve Buscemi is lending some star power to a bone marrow drive in Brooklyn.
The drive is being held on behalf of a New York City firefighter’s 2-year-old son, Owen Hogan, who was diagnosed with a potentially fatal blood disorder in May.
The boy needs a bone marrow transplant to survive.
“He’s just an ingrown toe nail or a small cold away from battling for his life,” said the boy’s father, Tim Hogan who is assigned to Engine Company 216 in Williamsburg. “I know what we’re up against, and I know what he’s up against, and it scares us to death.”
Buscemi joined Hogan at the drive, which is taking place at the Friends of Firefighters headquarters at 199 Van Brunt Street in Red Hook until 6 p.m.
“I used to be a firefighter at Engine 55,” Buscemi said. “The firefighting community is my family, so I just met Owen’s dad and he’s already a brother.”
Those attending need only to get their cheek swabbed to see if they’re a potential match.
“There is a cure but we just need to find the right match, but that’s not going to happen unless people come and donate,” Buscemi said.
For more information on how you can help Owen, visit aheroforowen.com.
