Pine-Richland basketball game supports boy in need of bone marrow transplant

Students and basketball players from Pine-Richland and Seneca Valley are coming together to support a boy who needs a live-saving bone marrow transplant.

Jax Ramirex is the 8-year-old son of Pine-Richland’s school psychologist, Dr. Missy Ramirez. He is battling a rare genetic disorder called immune dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, X-linked syndrome, more commonly known as IPEX syndrome.

His family lives in Seneca Valley School District. Pine-Richland will host Seneca Valley in boys basketball on Jan. 9, and students from both high schools are working together to host a “Be the Match” event during the game in Jax’s honor.

Both teams will wear warmup shirts in support of Jax. Cheerleaders will wear Jax shirts, and all attendees are encouraged to purchase shirts at shirtmonkey.net.

Game events include a swab drive, which helps find matches for patients who need bone marrow transplants, and halftime excitement, including a half-court shot contest. Enter for $1 to benefit Jax and win a year of free Dairy Queen Blizzards.

In addition to swabbing at the game, anyone who is between 18 and 40 years old can register for a swab kit by texting “JaxRamirezPA” to 61474 or join.bethematch.org/jax.