Real estate broker Arch Wilkie has started a fund to help Amelia Worth and her mother, Patricia, raise money to pay medical and living costs for Amelia's upcoming stem cell transplant.

The family will be staying in Portland while she is treated and undergoes the transplant at Oregon Health and Science University. Costs for the procedure, according to Worth, will be more than $500,000.

Wilkie has started an “Amelia Worth Bone Marrow Fund,” and donated the first $1,000 himself. He said he also plans on donating 1 percent of his gross commission on all real estate sales for the next six months to the fund.

“Anyone can make a donation to any branch of Bank of America,” Wilkie said. “I'm looking for everyone who wants to help a beautiful young woman live, to make a donation.”

Those who want to contribute to the fund, can deposit donations at any Bank of America. Local branches are in Coos Bay, 245 S. Fourth St.; North Bend, 1611 Virginia Ave.; Bandon, 1110 Oregon Ave.; and Reedsport, 178 N. Sixth St.

Those interested can call Wilkie, 252-7175, for more information.