Gift of Life Marrow Registry has an incredible mission: to save the lives of people who are battling blood cancer, sickle cell disease, inherited immune disorders, and 70 other conditions. This lifesaving process happens through a blood stem cell or marrow transplant from a volunteer who shares the same tissue type as the patient.
The tissue type used to match donors with patients is inherited from our parents and ancestors, just like hair and eye color. This means the best chance of a match is with someone who shares your ethnic background or has similar ancestry. But many patients never find a match because the registry is not yet diverse enough to help everyone in need. Only 29% of Black patients are able to find a donor in the registry! And only 48% of Hispanic/Latino patients find a match. We encourage everyone to join the registry and help us save lives in your community.
Rose Bradwell, a 47-year-old wife, mother of three girls 18, 16, and 13, is battling against acute myeloid leukemia. Rose was previously in remission, but the cancer has returned and a stem cell transplant is her best option for a cure. She grew up in Miami and is currently a resident of Palm Beach County, where she works as a physician assistant.
Because Rose does not currently have a match in the worldwide registry, we are asking that everyone of African or Haitian ancestry please be tested. You could be her lifesaving hero!
Everyone 18 to 35 years old and in general good health can order a swab kit and join the registry. Just click here or on the blue “Join Registry” button above right.
Those 36 to 60 may also join the registry, but please note that more than 90% of donors invited to save a life are in the 18 to 35 age group. We ask donors 36 and over to fund the $60 processing fee for their swab kit, so that Gift of Life can focus on those most likely to be called for donation. In the United States, individuals 61 and older may not join the registry, to protect their own health.
Gift of Life and the City of Miami Beach have a long history together, holding many events to bring awareness of the need for new donors, introducing heroic donors to their grateful recipients, and celebrating success together. Mayor Dan Gelber, the city commissioners, and the Miami Beach Police Department all support the organization’s lifesaving mission.
Just like your doctor's office, Gift of Life is bound by federal HIPAA regulations and has rigorous internal security practices. Your information will never be shared or sold.
We invite you to read Gift of Life's entire DONORS section on the website to learn more about the process of swabbing, matching, and donating works.
Visit Gift of Life's STORIES to read new articles every week about our actual donors and their experiences – including meeting the recipients whose lives they saved.
You can view Gift of Life's CREDENTIALS from national and international health care agencies and oversight organizations.
Visit Gift of Life's MEDIA COVERAGE page to read press coverage about the organization's lifesaving impact around the world.
A donor sponsored by City of Miami Beach has matched a 74 year old woman battling Acute Myelogenous Leukemia.
A donor sponsored by City of Miami Beach has matched a 59 year old woman battling Severe Aplastic Anemia.
A donor sponsored by City of Miami Beach has matched a 51 year old woman battling Acute Myelogenous Leukemia.