¡Panamá Presente!

Come join me on Sunday, March 9 at Open Test Kitchen in Oakland from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for ¡Panamá Presente!: an opportunity to celebrate culture, strengthen community, and stand in solidarity with those facing inequities in access to treatment for blood cancer, sickle cell disease, and other blood disorders.

The event is being held in honor of my dad, Lou Berrio, who was diagnosed with leukemia and is searching for his only hope for a cure: a matching blood stem cell donor. Patients who are of Black descent and/or of Latino descent — like my dad — face a much lower chance of finding a match than other ethnicities. We want to change that.

At the event you’ll have an opportunity to enjoy delicious Panamanian food from Chef Dani Solis of Chiricana Cocina Panameña and hand-crafted drinks. There will also be a Kids’ Corner, where little ones can enjoy crafts and activities. And I’ll share about how you can help close the gap in blood stem cell donor access and support families like ours—whether or not you’re eligible to register as a donor yourself.

Click here to get your free ticket to ¡Panamá Presente!

And if you can’t make it but want to support the cause, visit linktr.ee/lou4life learn more about my dad’s story and other ways you can help.

Flyer for ¡Panamá Presente! (featuring my dad Lou and his grandson) designed by Dani Solis.