Students register to donate bone marrow and change lives

Student takes the oral swab.

Eastern Connecticut State University’s men’s soccer team hosted a donor registry in partnership with the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) on Feb. 18 in the Sports Center. The registry sought donors of peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) and bone marrow.

The goal of the registry is to help patients with blood cancers or blood diseases that need a transplant. Volunteers registered online and took oral swabs. If they are matched with a patient, NMDP will walk them through the donation process, whether it’s a blood or bone marrow donation.

Jamie Robenhymer, account manager in New England for NMDP, explained the goals for the registry: “We don’t like to come in with a goal, because 600 people could register but only a few are committed to going through with the donation,” she said, noting that the donation can be an intensive surgical process. NMDP is focused on “quality versus quantity,” she said.

In previous years, Eastern has registered a total of 2,328 volunteers for NMDP; 34 of whom have become donors.

This is why NMDP is focusing on educating the volunteers, “so we know they are committed and know what they signed up for,” said Robenhymer.

Patients look for matches every day. If they find one through the registry, it could help save their life. “We work with local patients and share their stories,” Robenhymer said. “It’s important to put a face on it to get a full understanding of who we are helping.”

Cayden Boukus ‘26 has been part of this registry for about three years. “It’s been a great experience to interact with my peers and get the chance to save lives,” he said. Boukus joined this effort through the men’s soccer team.

The men’s soccer team has been participating in the registry recruitment since 2012, when one of its players, Jon DeCasanova ’17, was diagnosed with aplastic anemia and needed a bone marrow transplant. Head Coach Greg DeVito says DeCasanova found a match and is now healthy and working at the Connecticut Blood Center, where he helps patients fight cancer.

Written by Darlene Orozco B. '28

Categories: Athletics, Student Activities