EATONTOWN, N.J. (AP) — Rex Ryan and Mark Sanchez are among a few New York Jets coaches and players attending a charity event to help find a potential bone marrow donor for one of their ailing fans.
Michael Manganiello of Wayside, N.J., was diagnosed last month with acute myelofibrosis, a rare condition where progressive scarring — or fibrosis — of the bone marrow impairs its ability to make blood cells. The only chance for the 44-year-old Manganiello, a father of three young children, is a bone marrow transplant.
Jets defensive coordinator Mike Pettine helped set up the event, “A Match For Michael,” which drew more than 400 fans, through a mutual friend of the Manganiello family. Fans had their cheeks swabbed to register for the National Marrow Donor Program.
