University News

WIU Be the Match Chapter Top 10 Fundraising School

September 26, 2014

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MACOMB, IL -- A relatively new Western Illinois University student organization has already made it to a Top 10 list.

Western's Be the Match on Campus chapter, which is part of the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), organized just last fall, yet in just 11 months, the group has made it to the Be the Match Registry's Top 10 Fundraising Schools list, coming in at number five, ahead of such schools as the University of Iowa. During its first year, the WIU group raised nearly $3,000.

During the organization's first bone marrow registry drive in November 2013, more than 200 indviduals took the "Be the Match" call to register as bone marrow donors. In March 2014, in cooperation with the WIU Leathernecks Football team as part of the national "Get in the Game. Save a Life" campaign, the organization registered another 300 donors. According to WIU Chapter President Grant Severs, five individuals registered from Western's drives have already had calls for additional testing through the NMDP.

The student organization, which was established in mid-October 2013 by Severs, a senior biology (medical sciences/pre-dentistry) major, and Ashley Whiteside, a senior agriculture science (pre-vet) major, both of Macomb. In addition to the registry drives, the group must also make an effort to raise at least $5,000 a year as each swab/registry costs approximately $100 per person.

The WIU chapter will hold a registry drive from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7 in the University Union Concourse.

The Be The Match Registry/Be the Match on Campus is operated by the NMDP, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating an opportunity for all patients to receive the marrow transplant they need, when they need it. It is the largest and most diverse donor registry in the world. A patient's likelihood of finding a matching donor on the Be The Match Registry is estimated to range from 66-93 percent.

"The WIU chapter met their minimum recruitment goal in two days last year. For a new chapter, just getting started, this is just outstanding," said Amy Brousseau, account executive, of the Be The Match South Central - Central/Southern Illinois office. "And to be named as a Top 10 Fundraising School within their first year speaks volumes to the commitment of this chapter."

While the WIU drives target those donors who were between the ages 18-44, ages 45+ can still register for a $100 fee. According to bethematch.org, this is based on medical research that shows younger donors are best for patients and provide the greatest chance for transplant success.

In addition to registering as a bone marrow donor, individuals can text MATCH WIU to 50555 for a $10 donation for WIU's Be The Match on Campus to help fund the bone marrow drive.* Contributions may also be made at bethematchoncampus.org/wiu.

For more information on Western's chapter of Be the Match, contact Severs at GS-Severs@wiu.edu or Whiteside at A-Whiteside@wiu.edu. For more information on Be the Match, visit bethematch.org.

* Charges will appear on the user's wireless bill or wil be deducted from the prepaid balance. All purchases must be authorized by account holder. Must be 18 years of age or have parental permission to participate. Message and data rates may apply. Text STOP to 50555 to STOP. Text HELP to 50555 for HELP. Full terms and privacy: www.mGive.org/T and https://mgive.org/privacy.aspx


Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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