Hello, our names are Ben Noor and Adam Singer. We are both currently physicians in training at UCLA Health- Ben Noor is an internal medicine resident and Adam Singer is a hematology oncology fellow. We both previously entered the Gift of Life Registry, matched with a recipient, and donated our stem cells. We felt that this was an overwhelmingly meaningful experience in our lives and wanted to find a way to connect others to this incredible, life changing process. We have teamed up with Gift of Life Registry and UCLA Health to create an online bone marrow registry drive to help others find a potential match and save a life.
The deadline to register is Sunday August 30th, 2020 11:59 PM. To enter the registry, please click the "Get Swabbed" button, and complete the next steps which include a brief health history and your contact details. Gift of Life will then then mail you a cheek swab kit which you use at home and send back to them using a prepaid package for processing.
Eligible donors must be between 18-35 and in good health; registration is free. Potential donors age 36-60 can participate, but are asked to consider subsidizing the $60 processing fee.
While your registration will place you in the national registry, we are dedicating this drive in hopes of finding a match for Saxton Dunlap. Saxton is a young adult who was diagnosed with T-cell lymphoma in May, 2020. He needs to find a matching donor so he can have a stem cell or bone marrow transplant. See below for more information about Saxton's journey.
Please feel free to reach out to us for any questions regarding the drive, match process, or donation process, as both of us are previous bone marrow donors.
We thank you for your help!
Additional Information:
What happens after I mail in my swab kit?
Once the swabs are received by Gift of Life, the lab analyses the tissue typing to determine the HLA markers. Once the tissue type is determined, that information is entered in the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) registry and made available for worldwide searches by transplant centers and physicians. At some point in the future, you may be contacted if you are identified a potential match. If after further testing you are confirmed as a match, you may choose to proceed with the donation.
How will my stem cells be harvested if I do decide to donate?
The majority of stem cell harvesting is done through peripheral blood stem cell retrieval through an IV rather than bone marrow harvesting. It is important to note that joining the registry does not obligate you to donate in the event you are a match, and you have the right to decline further participation at any point.
I have previously registered though the National Marrow Donor program or another registry within the US, should I register for this drive?
All of the United States based programs enroll into the National Marrow Donor registry. Unless you have removed your name from the registry, you should not sign up for this drive as your information is already in the same system.
For other Frequently Asked Questions and more information about the donation process please visit:
More Information About Saxton's Journey:
The best way to start his story is in his own words:
"Hey guys, it's Saxton Dunlap. It's time I inform you of my terrible summer. I've been dealing with some pretty awful health symptoms from about May to now, and the doctors found out I have T-cell lymphoma, a type of cancer. I'm staying strong and I'm going to get through this, there is no doubt in my mind! I will be on a six-month journey of chemotherapy, and I have lost a lot of my strength and weight because of the cancer. But just like any bad injury, I will have to work hard to get all that back, and trust me, I will."
While most kids Saxton's age are getting excited about heading to college, he will be staying home to battle T-cell lymphoma. This type of lymphoma is unusual in young adults. As a student athlete, Saxton's lacrosse career is now put on hold. he is a recent graduate of Riverview High School in Sarasota, Fla., where he worked hard in academics as well as excelling on the field. He will spend the next year kicking cancer's butt and getting strong, and like any other opponent, he will show cancer no mercy.
When Saxton walks into a room, it's like all the lights clicked on — he's one of those special people. He's that kid you can't help but be drawn to. He has a heart of gold and is always there for his family and friends. He has managed to keep that twinkle in his eyes and that smirk on his face, even though he knows the next few months will be hard.
Mom Kristy was furloughed in May, and now will remain at home to take care of her boy. Saxton, Kristy and Alan are not alone in this journey — they are surrounded by family and friends that love them all!
We need your help to make sure this family stays strong, and Saxton comes out victorious.
