Aaden Drei Ramones Ends Battle with Cancer

Two-year-old Aaden Drei Ramones died on April 28 after a battle with cancer.

He is the son of Milpitas residents, Aileen and Andre Ramones, and the twin brother of Andy. His grandparents, Florencio "Andy" and Ana Andres, have been longtime Milpitas residents.

Last August, Aaden was diagnosed with a rare form of pediatric leukemia. He spent much of his young life at Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara for treatment, including five-and-a-half rounds of chemotherapy. However, the cancer in his bone marrow spread.

The cure he needed was a ; however, his twin brother, Andy, was not a perfect match. The Asian American Donor Program held bone marrow drives, but did not find a match.

For minorities, the opportunities of finding a match through the national registry is low—Asian-Americans represent about 7 percent of those registered, according to data by the National Marrow Donor Program. Outside of the family, the best chances to find a match are within the patient's own ethnic group. 

Aaden and his brother had just celebrated their second birthdays on March 22. Aaden enjoyed singing, dancing, scribbling in his Blue's Clues notebook and watching the Nick Jr. TV program, Yo Gabba Gabba.

Services for Aaden Drei Ramones are as follows:

VIEWING:

Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Lima Family Milpitas-Fremont Mortuary

48800 Warm Springs Blvd., Fremont   

For information: 408-263-2686                 

VIGIL & ROSARY:

Wednesday, 7 p.m.

Lima Family Milpitas-Fremont Morturary

48800 Warm Springs Blvd., Fremont  Tel: 408-263-2686         

FUNERAL MASS:

Thursday, 10 a.m.

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church

279 S. Main St., Milpitas  

Burial to follow: Lima Family Milpitas-Fremont Mortuary

As a special request, the parents would like to celebrate Aaden's life with color and joy just like how Aaden lived his life.  Please feel free to wear light colors.

And because so many people have asked how they can help, an account has been set up in honor of Aaden:

Wells Fargo Account #6224845187
Account Name: Andre or Aileen Ramones for Aaden Drei A. Ramones

Bone marrow registration drives are taking place throughout the Bay Area this month and can be found online.  A home kit can also be requested by mail. All it takes is a simple cheek swab to register.