Welcome, to all my friends, family, and kind people I have yet to meet! I'd like to share a personal story with you - one that connects to a very important mission and an amazing opportunity! 

I’ve lost several family members to cancer - my great grandmother, my grandfather, my aunt, and based on the statistics, you’ve probably lost someone too. Fortunately, there’s a way for you to fight back, by joining the cause of bone marrow donation. During this time of crisis, in-person registries face huge obstacles in finding and identifying potential donors, people like you who can play an instrumental role in saving a life. 

Here’s my story:

In the Fall of 2016, My twin brother and I stopped at a booth during campus stroll between classes at Mississippi State, and registered to join the Gift of Life Marrow Registry. It was a simple cheek swab and we received chocolate chip cookies in thanks, a painless - and delicious - exchange. A few months later, we were both identified as matches for a teen girl with Leukemia. Guided by a warm, earnest, and professional team, I was able to donate the day after my college graduation in a quick procedure, and with the knowledge that my short period of soreness would give a family the immeasurable joy of another day with their daughter.

Taking on this challenge inspired me to be bolder in other areas of my personal growth - spending a little more time on the couch watching game shows led me to try out for a spot on Who Wants to Be A Millionaire, which you can read about here. 

(Not the type of question you'll have to answer for GOL - their questions are much simpler!)

I happen to be a black man, but cancer doesn’t discriminate by age, race, religion, economic status, or political affiliation. Statistically, Leukemia will strike 44,000 Americans this year, including 3,500 children. At any given time, nearly 7,500 Americans are actively searching the national registry for an unrelated donor - because only 30% of patients who need a bone marrow transplant have a match in their family. That means someday, your life may depend on the generosity of someone you’ve never met.

Making matters worse, only 2% of the population is on the national registry. While this small percentage is screened for viable options, at least 3,000 people die each year waiting for a matching donor. And the statistics for minorities are especially grim. 77% of white patients can find a match in time, but that number falls to 57% for Native American patients, 46% for Hispanic patients, 41% for Asian patients and a horrifying 23% for African-American patients.

This terrible, outcome is preventable, with a simple solution: swabbing more donors. Your small donation will help to provide the kits needed to test the communities and people most able to save a life, while your swab could give you the opportunity to become a lifesaver in a physical way as well.

Gift of Life provides a world-class experience for donors, which ensures that people are happy to stay on the registry and continue to save lives. The fees, including testing, transport, medical costs, and more are all handled by the team to make the process as seamless as possible. Every $60 raised is enough to fund a testing kit to identify and find a life-saving match. 

(They also have these awesome swab socks available!)

From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank you for reading this, and hope you’ll consider donating or getting tested - which you can do here! If you decide to, next time we meet, the cookies are on me!

Sincerely,

Hannibal Brooks

(I actually ended up making a second donation, so I can tell you about the comfort of both methods!)