Golf Programs to Host Be The Match Donor Drive
1/6/2015 12:01:00 PM | Men's Golf, Women's Golf
The men's and women's golf teams will be holding a donor drive on Jan. 26 and 29 from 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. to support Be The Match.
Be The Match is a national organization that manages the largest and most diverse bone marrow registry in the world. Marrow transplants help save lives of people diagnosed with life threatening blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma.
For Kent State's golf program, the cause hits very close to home. In 2012, sophomore Maddy Mullins' father, Paul, was diagnosed with myelodysplasia (MDS), a rare form of blood cancer. Paul's sister was a match for him and donated stem cells through a successful transplant. Unfortunately in December 2013, the MDS came back as acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and Paul lost his battle with cancer.
"I'm thankful for the support of my coaches and Kent State family in organizing this donor drive," said Maddy. "If it weren't for a bone marrow transplant, my dad would not have had a chance at new life. No one ever fights alone, so I'm happy we have the opportunity to help join someone else's fight and save a life."
The donor drive will be held in honor of Paul Mullins and aims to add more donors to the Be The Match registry to save lives down the road. All that is needed is completed paperwork, a cheek swab and ten minutes to join the fight.
Join the Golden Flashes on the second floor of the student center on Jan. 26 & 29 from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for their Be The Match donor drive. For more information prior to the event, visit bethematch.org.
