Northwest

01:00 AM EST on Tuesday, February 15, 2005

The Rhode Island Blood Center has fifth-grader Freddy Benedetti on its mind.

The center is holding a blood drive and marrow donor registration in support of Freddy at the Chepachet Fire Station on Monday, March 21, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The boy attends West Glocester Elementary School and enjoys playing basketball, baseball and his PlayStation video game system.

He was diagnosed in 1996 with acute lymphocytic leukemia. Since then he has had multiple blood transfusions in Rhode Island and Minnesota, relapsed four times and undergone two bone marrow transplants from his sister Gianna, in 1997 and 1999.

But the transplants, which were completed in the Fairview Medical Center in Minneapolis, have lasted no longer than two years. Each time he underwent a transplant his family stayed with him for the five months. There he continued blood transfusions and became a huge Minnesota Vikings fan.

Benedetti continues chemotherapy treatments.Those interested in donating blood or becoming registered with the National Marrow Donor Program are encouraged to call 1-800-283-8385 or come to the drive for Benedetti.