The CU Boulder football team held a bone marrow registry on campus on April 18. Photo from the spring football game. March 17, 2018 (Bailey Miclette/CU Independent)
Hundreds of students gathered at the Balch Fieldhouse on CU’s campus to join the bone marrow donor registry on Wednesday morning.
The CU football team hosted their 6th annual “Be the Match” registry event yesterday. “Be the Match” is a large registry of potential bone marrow donors that strives to help as many patients as possible receive a match.
The Colorado football program has become a significant component of the “Be the Match” registry in Colorado.
“All the guys get really into it, they’re bringing people in and hopefully someone is a match,” said J.T Bale, a long snapper for the Buffs.
The drive has been very successful in past years, with 900 potential donors added to the registry before this year’s drive. Five matches were found as a result of the drive.
Brian McGinnis, the director of football operations at CU, mentioned that having programs such as this one on college campuses is important.
“College campuses make up the most diverse population around,” said McGinnis.
Since bone marrow recipients need a donor that is of the same ethnicity, diversity is very valuable.
The drive also strives to get young people involved in the registry, as 18 to 44 years old is the most ideal age for a donor.
“They are healthier and a lot more active so it is easier for them to go through the donation process,” said Soledad Hernandez, who works for the Colorado Marrow Donor Program.
Having large numbers of people on the transplant list is the best way to help save a life, as each recipient needs a precise match for the transplant to occur. Joining the registry is a very simple process. Potential donors only need to fill out a quick questionnaire and do a cheek swab to become part of the registry.
“This drive in particular helps get as many people as possible involved and helps the likelihood that somebody could be cured,” said Chance Lytel, an offensive lineman for the team.
Kevin Skidmore was one of the students who signed up for the registry during the drive. He said he was driven by “the potential to actually help someone” by possibly being a match.
There’s a lot of enthusiasm surrounding the bone marrow drive at CU. McGinnis said coach MacIntyre’s passion for this cause and getting the community involved is what makes the drive special.
This drive is “all about saving lives,” McGinnis said.
If you are interested in the registry visit BetheMatch.org for more information.
Contact CU Independent News Staff Writer Noah Hubbard at noah.hubbard@colorado.edu.
