Welcome to "Greeks Swabbing In The Grove" Donor Drive Page!
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Andy needs our help! Andy Belvedresi…a devoted husband and loving father, needs our help! Andy was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML - a cancer that starts inside the bone marrow, the soft tissue inside bones that helps form blood cells), and is looking for a marrow donor to save his life. He has finished one round of treatments but is presently undergoing maintenance treatments for the disease, but will need a marrow transplant to survive! Todate, there are no matches for him on the Be The Match Registry. In support of Andy, we are hosting a marrow registration drive! We need your help! We are writing to you today because this is an extremely important cause that is near and dear to our hearts!
Every year, more than 10,000 patients are diagnosed with a life-threatening disease such as leukemia, lymphoma, aplastic anemia and sickle cell anemia. Their best or only hope for a cure is a marrow transplant, but they have no matching donor in their family. They rely on Be The Match ® to find someone willing to save their life.
Unfortunately, finding a matched marrow donor is not always easy or even possible. There simply aren’t enough viable donors registered on the National Be the Match Registry. These patients need people, like us, who believe that helping others is central to their existence. They need people willing to give a small piece of themselves so another can have a chance for a cure.
Please join our Team and give Andy, or someone else, a chance!
You can do what no one else can!
A simple cheek swab is all that is needed to determine if you could be the one to save one of the thousands of patients in need of a bone marrow transplant.
The gentlemen of Kappa Alpha Order have partnered with our local Be the Match organization to help improve the odds. That is why we need your help! We are dedicated to helping patients get the transplant they need, when they need it. To achieve this, more committed donors are needed to step up, join the Be The Match Registry, raise funds, and spread the word about this very special way to save a life.
If you are between the ages of 18 and 44, are generally healthy, and are willing to donate to anyone in need, we are asking you to join the registry. We are hosting a registry drive on the following dates: February 5th and 6th, 9:00 .m. – 5:00 p.m., Ole Miss – Union Plaza. It is very simple to register and takes only minutes of your time. There will be some health questions to complete and then 4 swabs from the inside of your cheek. NO NEEDLE STICKS! That’s it! This drive is solely to join the donor registry in hopes of finding a potential donor match. There will be no bone marrow donation at this event.
Here's How You Can Help TODAY! 1. Join the Registry It is so simple to register! To register, all you do is (1) complete a donor consent form and (2) swab your cheeks. That’s it! Important Information Effective October 1, 2012, only potential donors between the ages of 18-44 years old can join the marrow registry at a live drive. Everyone 45-60 (until 60th birthday) years old can only join the registry on-line at www.bethematch.org
Be The Match Marrow Registry Drive
Tuesday, February 5th & 6th 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Ole Miss – Union Plaza Oxford, Mississippi (See “on-line” registration instructions below) Please take this opportunity to join the Be The Match Registry. By becoming a member of the Registry, you could be a match for Andy or for a patient in critical need—maybe even the only person who could save a patient’s life.
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TO JOIN ON-LINE:
1. Log on to BetheMatch.org 2. Click on “Join the Registry” 3. Replace the code in the promo code box with “Greeksunite” (code valid February 5th & 6th ONLY) 4. Complete the “on-line” registration process.
The need for diversity is very important; of the 10 million members on the registry, only 10% are Hispanic, 7% are African American and 7% are Asian.
2. Contribute: Our Fundraising Goal is $2,500.00! Click on "Make a Gift" and make your tax-deductible contribution now, “on-line” -or- mail donations to: Be The Match Foundation Attn: Mary LeSueur 8700 Stateline Road, Suite 340 Leawood, KS 66206 **Checks should be made payable to Be The Match Foundation and be sure to include “Team Greeks Swabbing” on the memo line. Tissue typing is an expensive process, so financial contributions of any size are greatly appreciated, and you can make a donation right here on this page. You can also make donations at the donor drive. ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ Even if you are already registered or do not meet the criteria, there is a significant need to raise funds for this organization and the life saving work that they do. It costs the National Marrow Donor Program approximately $100 to register each person. Funds raised will go to Be The Match in honor of “Andy” to help offset those costs. It is our wish that every patient who needs this lifesaving therapy receive it. That can only be accomplished with help from all of us Team Be The Match is important to US:
Why You Should Help: Be The Match relies on our support to collect contributions from people like us so that it can further its mission. Together we can help save lives! By supporting us, your "tax-deductible" contribution will help to add new donors to this lifesaving registry. Once a donor is added to the registry they remain searchable by patients until the donor turns age 61. Your financial contribution today can mean numerous lives saved today and for years to come.
What Does Be the Match Do?
Be The Match works to provide hope and deliver a second chance at life to patients by:
* Recruiting and supporting potential donors: To connect patients with donors, Be The Match manages the largest and most diverse donor registry — nearly 8 million marrow donors and nearly 100,000 cord blood units. Donors can turn to their Donor Advocacy Program for support throughout the donation process.
* Supporting patients: To help patients access treatment, Be The Match offers financial support and educational resources.
* Educating doctors: Referring physicians can turn to Be The Match for information about transplant advances, caring for transplant patients and the importance of timely referral for transplant.
* Advancing science: Be The Match's research programs have advanced the science of bone marrow and cord blood transplant, from better matching the right donor to the right patient for improving post-transplant treatment.
Lastly…….
Our partnership will not only help raise awareness and raise much needed funds for those currently in need, it just might help save Andy or another patient’s life. The need for donors is critical, on-going, and with your help, within our grasp.
Please register - give what you can!
Together, we can offer hope…. And change lives!
If you have questions pertaining to being a registered donor, tissue typing kits, would like to organize a marrow registration donor drive in your area or “tax-deductible” financial donations, feel free to contact drive organizers, Emily Evans, (601) 670-1155, Emily.k.evans@eagles.usm.edu, Ali Alexander, (601) 670-6704, acalexan@go.olemiss.edu, or our Be the Match Representative, Mary LeSueur, mlesueur@nmdp.org, (877) 601-1926, ext. 7745; or (cell) 662-403-0091. If you would like to request a kit in the mail, please email Mary at the email address above and include your name, address and phone number. To learn more about Be the Match, operated by the National Marrow Donor Program, visit: www.bethematch.org. We hope you will take a few minutes to attend the drive and help save a life Andy and other patients, are depending on us!
Everyone can help! Invite a friend! You may be the only person who could save a patient’s life.
Thank You for your help!! Spread the Word!!
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