University of New Hampshire Athletics
Football Holds 10th Annual Bone Marrow Drive
4/18/2019 2:33:00 PM | Football, #WildcatsCare
Wildcats Help Register Potential 'Be the Match' Candidates to Donate Bone Marrow
DURHAM, N.H. - On April 12, the University of New Hampshire football team hosted their 10th annual 'Be the Match' bone marrow drive in the Piscataqua Room at Holloway Commons. The drive, which was part of the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), began at 10 a.m. and lasted until 2 p.m., with players intermittently appearing to help run the registry. The team recruited other students to register and aided them in the process.
The whole sign-up took no more than 20 minutes per person. When students walked in, they were greeted by representatives from the Be the Match Registry, who provided information about the registry. Then, the students were sent to scan codes on their phones, which brought them to the registry page. Once the form was on the screen, students took a few minutes to complete it with their information. The swabbing kits will be mailed a week after completing the form, and the students just have to swab the inside of their cheek and send the forms back.
Head coach Sean McDonnell shared his thoughts on the history of this program.
"We've had some outstanding things happen over the course of 10 years in this program, having matches for people that are sick and need help with a bone marrow transplant. People came in, registered and were done in 15 minutes."
The UNH football players always take this event very seriously. Sophomore defensive back Sheir-Ron Whittaker shared his beliefs on the importance of the registry.
"It is very important. It shows that we care about the people outside of our own community. Coach Mac does a very good job getting us and the rest of the university involved."
This year, the drive had 170 total registrants. Over the last 10 years, UNH has had over 2,800 donors, 22 of whom have had a transplant performed. Two of them were former Wildcat tight end John Dicaro '18 and former receiver Jimmy Giansante '14.
"UNH is one of the best," concluded Jackie McCloon, the recruiter on-site for the Be the Match Registry. "They are in the top five for recruiting in these events. Get in the game is a national initiative across the country and they're up there."
To learn more about Wildcats in the Community, go to the Wildcats in the Community page presented by Kennebunk Savings.
