Be the Match Bone Marrow Drive

Globe University  – Woodbury Global Citizenship class is hosting a Be the Match Drive on campus on Wednesday, November 16 at 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and at 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the Student Commons. Be the Match is a National Bone Donor Program that has been helping patients receive bone marrow transplants for more than 20 years.

The students are dedicated to raising the funds needed to help patients such as Imani, an 11-year-old little girl from Shakopee, Minn., and Artan, a seven-month-old little boy who also from Minnesota.

Imani was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) at the age of nine in March 2010.  MDS is a group of diseases that affect the bone marrow and blood.  The only cure for Imani at this point is to receive a bone marrow transplant from an unrelated donor.  She’s a high spirited 5th grader who loves dancing & soccer. She also enjoys riding her scooter and bike, attending horse riding camp, swimming, movies, shopping, texting, Facebook, & her iPod. 

Artan was diagnosed with Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID). He spent two months at Minneapolis Children’s Hospital recovering from Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (protein build up in lungs), and many other infections. Artan is at a high risk of getting infected with any viral, fungal or bacterial infections easier than any other person/baby because he has no immune system to protect him. Today he is at home, getting his strength back, and catching up on development. Artan now is surviving with monthly IVIG infusions, two times a week of intramuscular shots of an enzyme medicine called Adagen, two types of antibiotics, sodium and vitamin D supplement, and inhaled steroids for his lungs. Even with all these medicines, Artan is battling a “stomach Virus”, and because there are no treatments for a virus, Artan’s body is doing the best it can to help fight this off. Because of this disease Artan needs a marrow transplant; this will give him a “NEW” Immune system, and the hope is hat it will save his life.

“We thank you for committing to save Artan’s life.”  ~Artan’s parents

You can help save a lives like Imani’s and Artan’s by joining the Be the Match Registry on Wednesday, November 16. Remember, it’s only a simple cheek swap to join. For more information on donating bone marrow please visit http://marrow.org.