Comedian Stewart aiding leukemia patient

NEW YORK, July 19 (UPI) -- Comedian Jon Stewart, host of "The Daily Show," says he has been trying to lighten the spirits of a Washington man suffering from leukemia.

Stewart said after hearing about 32-year-old software engineer Jonathan Haupt's battle with leukemia, he sent "Daily Show" DVDs to help lift the man's spirits and offered him a tour of the set of the Comedy Central show, the New York Daily News reported Sunday.

"He's really struggling," Stewart said of Haupt.

Stewart called on his fellow New Yorkers to get tested to determine if they can donate bone marrow to Haupt or other leukemia sufferers.

"It's not giving up a kidney. It's just taking this swab test and then it's a minor procedure if you're a match," the "Daily Show" star said.

Haupt, meanwhile, told the Daily News how Stewart's faux news program has become a staple in his Washington household.

"He doesn't know it, but he has really helped me through all of this," Haupt said of Stewart.