Student who led bone-marrow drive dies of leukemia

A popular Thunderbird High School student who led a high-profile battle against leukemia died Tuesday.

Saulo Morris, 18, had been at the Banner Desert Hospital in Mesa since Oct. 20.

The northwest Phoenix teenager, described as "a fighter" and "a giver" by his father, left his hospital bed on Nov. 17 to join a bone-marrow drive at his high school.

About 854 names were added to the national registry of possible donors.

"Sal made the comment: 'Even if we don't find a donor for me, then we can help other people,' " said his father John Morris.

"Even at the end, he wasn't worried about himself finding a donor . . . it was always about somebody else."

The high-school senior, a member of the marching band and an athlete at Thunderbird High, was diagnosed with cancer in March 2007.

A year ago, Saulo was offered a dream-fulfilling opportunity by the Make-A-Wish foundation.

Instead, his father recalls, Saulo had donated all $6,750, which was raised for his wish, to Doctors Without Borders, a group that helps victims of conflict all across the world.

Saulo Morris, with his father, John Morris.