Decreasing the Donor Deficit (DDD), a UNMC interprofessional student organization, will host a Be the Match registry drive open to the public Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the University Tower cafeteria.
Be the Match is a registry organization associated with the National Marrow Donor Program. The goal of the drive is to increase the number of individuals enrolled in the National Marrow Donor Program and to further promote access to bone marrow donation.
Joining the registry includes completing identification paperwork and swabbing the inside of the individual’s cheek for DNA compatibility. The materials then are directed to the National Marrow Donor Program to be assessed. Enrolling in the program is free of charge to the individual and confidential.
DDD’s purpose is to expand understanding of the process of bone marrow transplantation as well as to recruit new donors. Due to a disparity in registrants, donors are needed, especially from racial and ethnic minority populations. DDD seeks to educate the community about these health inequalities and encourage involvement.
To learn more or find out how you can participate, please contact DDD here.