Bone Marrow Drive Today; ODU Freshman in Need of Match

Two months ago, Old Dominion freshman Brian Collister was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of T-cell lymphoma. His doctors have recommended a bone marrow transplant, but first he needs a matching donor.

Members of the campus community are encouraged to get swabbed to see if they are a match for him or other community members in need. On Thursday, April 19, the ODU football team will coordinate the "Get in the Game, Save a Life" Bone Marrow Drive to capitalize on the opportunity of a lifetime - the opportunity to save a life.

The football team invites members of the campus community to come to the Hampton/Newport News Room of Webb Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to be tested to see if they are able to donate. The test is a simple cheek swab - no blood or needles are involved. It should take no more than 20 minutes for each person to register and be tested. There is no cost for the test.

Collister's friends and family are also coordinating a community drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 21, at Grassfield High School, 2007 Grizzly Trail, Chesapeake.

Those who are unable to attend either test site can visit www.getswabbed.org to be sent a home swabbing kit free of charge.

The annual bone marrow drive on April 19 is part of Blue Goes Green Week. For more information contact the ODU Center for Service and Civic Engagement, a component of the Office of Student Activities and Leadership, at 683-6948 or volunteer@odu.edu.

On any given day, more than 6,000 men, women and children are searching the National Marrow Donor Program Registry for a life-saving donor.