Gift of Life Marrow Registry to Host 5k in South Florida

Miami marrow transplant recipient to meet lifesaving donor for first time. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) January 10, 2018 - Gift of Life Marrow Registry will hold its annual Steps for Life 5k Run and Walk at South County Regional Park (Sunset Cove), Boca Raton, Fla., on Sunday, January 14, 2018 at 7:30 a.m. In addition to the race, the event will feature the initial meeting between a Miami woman diagnosed with a rare form of lymphoma and the marrow donor who saved her life.

People across South Florida will participate in the 5k - which is the only one in the area solely dedicated to raising awareness for bone marrow and blood stem cell transplants. Proceeds from the event will go toward underwriting the $60 cost associated with processing each donor swab kit to add them to the worldwide registry.

“After so many lows, I felt hope on the day of my transplant that someday I’d be well again and given a second chance,” said the marrow recipient. “I think bone marrow donors are the most generous people in the world and I can’t wait to meet the person who saved my life.” According to federal regulations, donors and recipients must remain completely anonymous and wait at least one year, post-transplant, prior to meeting one another.

The event, which will be emceed by WIRK-FM’s Chelsea Taylor, includes a timed 5k and a Superhero Sprint for kids. Walk-up registration will be available on race day with an entry fee of $35/adult and $20/student. Children 6 and under are free. If someone is unable to attend, but wishes to contribute as a virtual walker, they should visit: giftoflife.org/stepsforlife.

Gift of Life will also hold a donor recruitment drive for adult volunteers to join the registry with a simple swab of their cheek. Donors between the ages of 18 and 45 that are in good health provide the greatest chance for transplant success.

“Every three minutes, one person is diagnosed with a blood cancer,” said Gift of Life CEO and Founder Jay Feinberg. “At Gift of Life, we are committed to increasing the number of bone marrow donors in the worldwide registry to save as many lives as possible.”

For more information, contact Gift of Life National Events Coordinator Linda Barrocas at 561-982-2900 or lbarrocas ( @ ) giftoflife dot org dot

ABOUT GIFT OF LIFE
Gift of Life Marrow Registry is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization headquartered in Boca Raton, Fla. Gift of Life is dedicated to saving lives and facilitating bone marrow and blood stem cell transplants for patients with leukemia, lymphoma and other blood-related diseases. For more information, visit www.giftoflife.org.

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