LATTA, OKLA. -- One mother is pleading for help, asking the state of Oklahoma to cut through the red tape and help save her son diagnosed with cancer. The Pontotoc County woman tell us she's speaking out to the media as a last resort. Shelby Levins reports.

Frances Henley, or Fran, says she never dreamed of telling her story like this. But now she's running out of time. Her oldest son is battling leukemia and doctors say he needs a bone marrow transplant by next month. But the problem, his brother, who’s now the only available donor, is incarcerated in an Oklahoma state penitentiary.

Like any mother Fran Henley loves her sons unconditionally. But now one son's life depends on the other, who's serving time behind bars.

"I feel very sad, frustrated, deeply hurt, scared, terribly scared and I just don't know how to deal with this process,” Fran explained.

Fran's older son Robert Henley was diagnosed with leukemia in August. Now he's fighting for his life, taking chemo treatments at John Hopkins Hospital. Doctors say his cancer is currently in remission, but he needs a bone marrow transplant by the end of December to survive.

"His wife told me this evening, that the one they were hoping for did not work out, so now it's with his brother or not at all,” Fran explained.

Allen Henley is Robert's younger brother. He’s the closest thing to a perfect match to Robert's bone marrow, and now he's also the only possible transplant donor.

But Allen Henley is incarcerated at a state prison in Lawton, serving three sentences for various drug charges.

A spokesperson for the State Department of Corrections told us the best option for Mrs. Henley is to request Allen Henley be granted a leave of absence from Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry.

"We felt like it would be easier for her. Under the constitution the governor has the authority to grant up to 60 days leave of absence without the Pardon or Parole Board having to take any action,” Jerry Massie, the Public Information Officer for the DOC, stated.

Fran says she's doesn't even know how to begin to do that. She's tried contacting local lawyers and local politicians but time is running out, and she's asking for any help to cut through the red tape and save her older son.

"I don't know anything else I can do. We wouldn't go public with this except I don't know anything to do myself,” Fran stated.

Fran said she has received an email from a spokesperson for Governor Brad Henry's office, saying they were looking into the matter. But Mrs. Henley says she doesn't have the luxury of time, she needs a decision now.

Our calls to the Governor's office to follow up on Fran's case have not been returned.