UNH to host bone marrow testing drive
University of New Hampshire football coach Sean McDonnell and the Wildcat football program will host a bone marrow testing drive
at Holloway Commons on Monday, May 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. "It's a great cause and a great opportunity," said McDonnell. "It's an easy way to give back."
The test is simple and only requires donors to provide a sample of a cheek swab. Including registration time, the process takes less than 20 minutes for each individual to complete.
"It's not hard," said McDonnell. "Everyone should be thinking of that because it is an opportunity to save someone's life."
Now in its second consecutive year hosting the event, UNH kicks off the campaign joining more than 27 other college football programs throughout the country in a quest to identify potential donors for the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) Registry.
Last year's drive took place in Lundholm Gymnasium and brought in over
350 potential donors from the Seacoast and UNH communities. This year,
the Wildcat program is looking to draw even more potential donors in
its effort to help recruit over 5,000 new members to the marrow
registry.
"Last year was a great response," said McDonnell. "This year we are trying to get the students involved, but the whole community has to come together."
In total, there are over 20 million people worldwide who are registered as potential marrow donors. However, despite the influx, there are still only about 250 matches found each year, making it a 1-in-80,000 chance that a registered donor will be a match.
Thousands of patients suffering from leukemia, lymphoma and other life-threatening conditions are especially dependent on the NMDP Registry to the find a match. Those in the greatest need of such donations are those of racial and ethnic heritage. Donors of the following ethnic backgrounds are especially needed: African American, Native Americans or Alaska Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander and Hispanic or Latino.
For more information on the bone marrow testing program, please contact Director of UNH Football Operations Bob Callahan at (603) 862-5098 or rwc1@unh.edu. For information on the NMDP call 1-800-MARROW-2 or visit www.marrow.org.
"Last year was a great response," said McDonnell. "This year we are trying to get the students involved, but the whole community has to come together."
In total, there are over 20 million people worldwide who are registered as potential marrow donors. However, despite the influx, there are still only about 250 matches found each year, making it a 1-in-80,000 chance that a registered donor will be a match.
Thousands of patients suffering from leukemia, lymphoma and other life-threatening conditions are especially dependent on the NMDP Registry to the find a match. Those in the greatest need of such donations are those of racial and ethnic heritage. Donors of the following ethnic backgrounds are especially needed: African American, Native Americans or Alaska Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander and Hispanic or Latino.
For more information on the bone marrow testing program, please contact Director of UNH Football Operations Bob Callahan at (603) 862-5098 or rwc1@unh.edu. For information on the NMDP call 1-800-MARROW-2 or visit www.marrow.org.
