An annual tradition continued this week at Southern Connecticut State University as the Owls’ football program led an initiative for National Marrow Donor Program’s ‘Be The Match’ program. Supported collaboratively by members of the nursing program, the Owls conducted a station at the Michael J. Adanti Student Center. These groups helped participants through the process with assistance from representatives from the NMDP.
The program was spearheaded by Owls’ alum Andy Talley, formerly the head coach at Villanova University, more than 15 years ago. He has recruited thousands of members to the registry by encouraging his football team and their friends to join – last year alone more than 8,000 people joined through a “Get in the Game. Save A Life” donor drive. Talley’s aim is to increase the likelihood that all patients receive the life-saving transplant they need.
The Owls have had nearly 2,000 new registrants participate since beginning the initiative on campus several years ago.
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. 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 can join the Be The Match Registry – the world’s largest and most diverse listing of potential adult marrow donors and donated cord blood units – as well as contribute financially to Be The Match Foundation or give their time. Be The Match Foundation supports the NMDP by raising funds to grow the Be The Match Registry, help patients with transplant costs and advance medical research. Since operations began in 1987, the NMDP has provided more than 38,000 transplants to help give patients a second chance at life. For more information, visit BeTheMatch.org or call 1 (800) MARROW-2.
http://southernctowls.com/news/2017/4/4/football-owls-host-annual-be-the-match-event-to-benefit-national-marrow-donor-program.aspx
