Nathan Einsiedler, 35, is battling Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia, and his doctors have recommended a blood stem cell or bone marrow transplant as his best chance of a cure. He urgently needs to find a matching donor, so he and his family are partnering with Gift of Life for this search.

Matches are based on tissue type factors called Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) which are inherited from our parents and ancestors. The best chance of a match is with someone who shares the same ethnicity or genetic heritage. 

Nathan is of Eastern European descent on his father's side and Mexican descent on his mother's side, therefore his best chances of a match will be with people who share similar ancestry. 

Nathan is close to his parents and helps them around the house and includes them in his plans and passions. He is outgoing with a wide circle of friends, and is loyal in his friendships and offers his time and help to anyone who needs it. He also has cousins and other relatives in Spain and Mexico he is close to. 

Nathan has served as football coach at Chaminade High School in Los Angeles, Calif. for 11 years, but this last season was cut short due to his diagnosis. His love of football is well known, and he loved not just watching games but also the strategy and complexity of the various competitors. 

He is a mentor to many of his players, who come to him both for help with schoolwork and coaching about issues in their lives. He has traveled around the country to many football games and one of his goals is to visit every NFL stadium. 

Nathan went to Jewish day schools until 9th grade, when he attended a humanities magnet high school. He graduated from the University of California - Santa Barbara with a BA in mathematics and a minor in athletic coaching. 

Not only is he involved with his high school students, he volunteers for No Child Left Behind, a reading program serving inner-city children, many of them immigrants who are struggling to learn English. 

Nathan's goal is to conquer this disease and spring back into his life's activities and goals for the future, including fulfilling work, living independently, and continued travel throughout the country. 

How You Can Help

Details about joining the registry:

• Join the registry! Click on the blue "Join Registry" button. 
  • Donors in general good health between 18 and 35 years old may join the registry. Donors over the age of 35 can also join, but we ask that you to please donate $60 to offset the lab fees – Click here to learn why.  
  • Eighty percent of donors requested by transplant centers are 18 to 35 years old for medical reasons – Click here to learn why Age Matters.
  • Donors can remain in the registry until their 61st birthday – Click here to learn why the registry has an Age Limit.
  • Certain medical conditions may mean you are not able to join the registry or donate – Click here to check the Conditions List. If you're not sure, a health history questionnaire is part of the registration process.
• Sponsor a swab kit. Click on the orange "Give to My Circle" button. Lab processing of every kit costs $60. Your contribution will help add new donors to the registry, who may be a match for any patient in need. 
• Spread the word. Use the social media links to the right to share this story in your Facebook and Twitter account. The more people who order a swab kit and join the registry, the faster patients will find a donor.