Fall River native, southern Massachusetts teacher, looking for public’s help in fight of his life

A Fall River native is in the fight for his life and those close to him are looking for the public’s help to win that fight.

Friends and family say that Paul Couto is an amazing father and beloved teacher at Freetown Lakeville Middle School, and he needs some Portuguese pride to help him beat a rare and aggressive form of leukemia.

Couto has been described as a family man who is kind and patient. He has given back to his community as a host to international exchange students and also as a Fall River soccer and baseball coach. Now he needs his community to give to him.

Paul is in dire need of a bone marrow transplant. It is his only chance to survive.

Due to his heritage, the donor needs to be Portuguese and from Miguel/Azores. The donor also needs to be between 18-40 years old.

Here is how the process works. Text COUTOSTRONG to 61474 and follow the directions to register and request a home test kit be sent to you where you swab your cheek and send it back. If you match, a simple blood draw is taken and then they extract the stem cells from the blood. We are told that the procedure is non evasive, no sedation is used, and its painless. The procedure is free for the participant, and you just might save a life.