Loras College holding marrow donor drive at Dance Marathon

WHAT:  On Friday and Saturday, April 20 and 21, Loras College Dance Marathon is hosting a donor registry drive to raise awareness about the need for marrow donors and encourage the attendees and community to consider joining so more patients can have the transplant they need.

Dubuque area students and residents can take the first step to save a life by joining the University of Iowa Marrow Donor Program and Be The Match Registry

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using a simple cheek swab.  Donors with diverse racial or ethnic backgrounds are especially critical, as patients in need of a transplant are most likely to match someone who shares their same race or ethnicity.

The total cost to add each new member to the Iowa Marrow Donor Program is about $100.  The donor program relies on financial contributions to help cover these costs.  Contributions to the University of Iowa Marrow Donor Program help add more members to the registry, giving more patients hope for a cure.  Those joining the Marrow Donor Program are asked to give what they can.

WHEN:                                                                       WHERE:

Friday, April 20 8pm – midnight and                   Loras College Dance Marathon

Saturday, April 21, 6-8am                         Alumni Campus Center 4

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WHY:  For thousands of patients with life-threatening diseases, such as leukemia and lymphoma, a marrow transplant from an unrelated donor is their best or only hope for a cure.  These patients depend on the national Be The Match Registry to find a match – and a second chance at life.  While many patients do find the life-saving match they need each year, more donors are needed to help increase the likelihood that all patients will find a match.  Financial contributions to the University of Iowa Marrow Donor Program and volunteers are also needed to help save lives.

About Be The Match

Be The Match is a movement that engages a growing community of people inspired to help patients who need a marrow or umbilical cord blood transplant from an unrelated donor.  The National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), a leader in the field of marrow and cord blood transplantation, created Be The Match to provide opportunities for the public to become involved in saving the lives of people with leukemia, lymphoma and other life-threatening diseases.  Volunteers who join the University of Iowa Marrow Donor Program will also be joining the Be The Match Registry – the world's largest and most diverse listing of potential marrow donors and donated cord blood units.  For more information, visit BeTheMatch.org

or call the University of Iowa Marrow Donor Program at (800) 944-8220.