HONOLULU -- First she found out she was pregnant, then came the diagnosis of leukemia. A Kapolei woman had her baby earlier this month. Now, she is fighting for her life with the help of a loving family and friends.

Sharnell Onaga, 38, gave birth to her third child -- a healthy baby girl -- on Dec. 4.

She started chemotherapy for an aggressive form of leukemia two days later.

Her family and friends have rallied behind her and are asking for the public's help to save Onaga's life.

Onaga's mother, Marilyn Moura, said her daughter was diagnosed nine weeks into her pregnancy. Against her doctors' advice, Onaga decided to have the baby, saying that the pregnancy was a blessing, because it led to tests that revealed the leukemia.

Moura said Onaga was there for her when she lost her husband to bone marrow cancer in January.

"She was my backbone, and I want to be her backbone," Moura said.

Over the weekend, Moura and others vigorously recruited people to register for the Bone Marrow Registry at McKinely High School's crafts fair.

"For the registration part, all you have to do is fill out the form and give a small sample that is taken from your mouth cheek," said Roy Yonashiro of the Hawaii Bone Marrow Donor Registry.

Officials said the process involves a simple swab into the mouth and takes no more than 10 minutes.

There will be more bone marrow drives in January.

One is slated for Jan. 6 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Rumours Nightclub. Another on Jan. 16 will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Honolulu Community College cafeteria.