FORESTVILLE — A saliva sample is all that is needed to determine whether or not someone is a match for the national bone marrow program. This small act may help local resident Sherman Bailey be matched with a bone marrow donor in his fight against myelodysplastic syndrome, a blood cancer.

Bailey has been a familiar face in Forestville for many years, as he is a life-long resident who owns his own business, S.R. Bailey Dump Truck & Backhoe Service, and also services commercial and residential septic tanks.

This Saturday from 4-8 p.m. at the Forestville American Legion, Bailey’s friends and family are hosting a benefit in partnership with Be The Match, the national marrow donor program. Anyone between the ages of 18 and 44 can come swab their cheek to join the registry at no cost and purchase raffle tickets for an impressive variety of prizes.

Donated raffle ticket prizes include an Ellicottville weekend getaway, a camping grill and chair set, a gun valued at $800, a portrait painting session, a Buffalo Sabres hat signed by Jack Eichel, a Buffalo Bills hat signed by Charles Clay and tickets on the 50-yard-line for a Buffalo Bills game. Tickets for these large raffle prizes are three for $10.

Family friend Kayme Crowell, who now lives in Chicago, but is returning to Forestville for the benefit, attributes the many prize donations to Bailey’s popularity in Forestville.

In February, Bailey was first diagnosed with MDS, not long after his sister’s diagnosis with the same disease. Since then, he has already completed seven week-long chemotherapy treatments, and he will most likely require a bone marrow transplant. The transplant would hospitalize him for up to three and a half months, and would prevent him from working for up to a year.

The benefit also includes live music, provided by local musician Jack Blodgett, a Hank Williams tribute artist and a dunk tank. Attendees will have the opportunity to dunk Forestville Middle/High School Principal Mr. Daniel Grande and Bailey’s son, Hunter. There will also be a large Chinese basket raffle, which includes more than 100 donated prize baskets plus an entire wall of gift certificates from local businesses. Basket raffle tickets are 20 for $5.

Attendees can also purchase food tickets for $20, which include beef on weck sandwiches, salt potatoes, corn on the cob, dessert and two drink tickets.

All money raised will help with Bailey’s rising medical bills and any future medical expenses associated with the disease. For tickets and to make donations, contact Sara Botticello at 785-3212, Jenn Botticello at 680-2035, Tina Bowker at 244-2493 or Kayme Crowell at 708-254-7017.