Faculty, staff, and students can register to be included in a national database of bone marrow donors at UT Athletics’ annual Bone Marrow Donor Registration Drive from noon to 4:00 p.m. Saturday, February 27, at the Lauricella Center at Neyland Stadium. Attendees can park in Staff Lot 9 and enter through Gate 21A.
There is no cost to register as a potential donor, and the simple test is a cheek swab.
The drive is sponsored by Vol for Life and Be the Match on Campus.
Thousands of patients with blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma, sickle cell anemia, or other life-threatening diseases depend on the Be the Match bone marrow registry to find a match to save their life.
Donor candidates must be 18–44 years old, and the national registry particularly needs prospective candidates of diverse ethnic backgrounds.
Adding more diverse members increases the likelihood that all patients will find a life-saving match. The national registry needs donors who are black or African American; American Indian or Alaska Native; Asian, including South Asian; Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander; Hispanic or Latino; or multiracial.
For more information about the bone marrow donor registry, including an FAQ, visit the Be the Match website.