MADISON, Wis. -- A Madison family is reaching out for help in saving their son's life.

Antonio Rieder, 6, was diagnosed with aplastic anemia a few months ago. The rare, life-threatening illness affects how the body works and fights off infection. Doctors said the only cure of Rieder’s disease is a bone marrow transplant and finding a bone marrow donor is extremely difficult.

According to Rieder's family, only one in 10,000 who register as a donor will be a match for anyone, but the task is even more difficult because Antonio is Guatemalan.

The National Marrow Donor Program reported that a donor is more likely to be found in a person’s racial or ethnic background.

"Ethnic minorities are under represented on the registry currently," said Rieder's mother, Staci Rieder.

To bring awareness and hope to their son's desperate situation, his parents set up a bone marrow registration.

"We are specifically trying to invite ethnic minorities to become aware and to sign up," said Staci Rieder.

Rieder said a donor for her son would most likely have to come from the Latino community. While the Rieders wait and hope for a match, doctors are keeping the boy's immune system going with blood transfusions.

"Sometimes it hurts," said Antonio. "One time, it hurt so much that I cried."

For now, the Rieders are keeping Antonio focused on the fun that comes with being six.

"I think that when your child is diagnosed with a life threatening illness you just become more aware of everything," said Staci Rieder. "You become appreciative of everything. You appreciate normal."

Anyone wishing to register as a bone marrow donor can do so online.

The Rieders' bone marrow testing is Sunday, Jan. 17 at Temple Beth El in Madison. Officials said a simple swab of the inside of the check can tell if someone is a match.