Recently, I had the honor of joining Patrick Yorke, his brother Isaac, and my husband Craig on a meaningful journey to Los Angeles. Our mission was to share the story of Patrick’s son, Sam, who is battling leukemia and desperately needs a bone marrow transplant. Together, we appeared on KCAL News to raise awareness about the need for donors and funds to support the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) in honor of Sam.
The four of us drove to LA the night before to ensure we were well-rested for the early morning interview. Arriving at the studio at 6:30 a.m., we nervously waited in the green room. Patrick and I quietly reviewed the key points we wanted to share, while Isaac and Craig offered unwavering support.
As I sat there, I couldn’t help but marvel at Patrick’s strength. Despite facing the overwhelming challenge of his son’s illness, Patrick bravely took the spotlight—not only for Sam but for families everywhere facing similar battles. Patrick shared that Sam, even at his young age, feels deeply about using his story to help others. Seeing other children at Rady Children’s Hospital fighting cancer has left a lasting impression on him, inspiring him to make a difference.
Reflecting on the Yorke family gave me strength to face my own nerves. Sam, a young teen fighting an unimaginable battle. Patrick, a devoted father determined to do everything possible to find a donor match. Adrienne, a mother caring for her son around the clock with tireless devotion. Eli, a brother standing strong by his family in support. This incredible family has inspired an entire community to come together. Filled with love and hope, the community is rallying to raise $50,000 for COTA to assist with transplant-related expenses. The KCAL team welcomed us warmly and made the process as smooth and comfortable as possible. Our interviewer, Rudabeh Shabazi, took the time to chat with us before we went live, sharing her personal connection to Sam’s story as she battles lymphoma herself.
At 7:30 a.m., we were mic’d up and ready. During the five-minute segment, Patrick spoke beautifully about Sam, sharing what an incredible young man he is and the urgency of finding a donor. I explained how people can join the bone marrow registry, the costs involved in transplants, and the importance of raising funds for COTA in honor of Sam.
We hope that those five minutes on live TV will help find a life-saving donor for Sam and raise funds for COTA to assist with his transplant-related costs. If you’ve already watched the segment, thank you for your support! If not, we encourage you to take a few minutes to watch it and share Sam’s story.
Raising $50,000 can feel daunting, so we’re breaking it into smaller, more manageable goals. Thanks to incredible support, we reached our $15,000 goal for COTA by Thanksgiving! Now, we’re working hard to hit $40,000 by Christmas and hope you’ll help us get there. Every contribution to COTA brings us closer to saving Sam’s life.
Thank you for your continued love for the Yorke family. They are deeply grateful for the kindness and generosity shown by their community.
Wishing you and your family a happiness and health,
Andrea Dunham
Yorke Family Friend and Fundraising Volunteer
