For anyone in need of bone marrow and stem cells, which can be the only life saving measures for a whole range of diseases, when a match is not found in the immediate family, often the best chance is finding a donor through the registry. For people of Jewish descent, especially those of Ashkenazic Jewish background whose bloodlines were served by the Holocaust, it is often difficult to find a match. Since forming a year and a half ago, the Gift of Life Young Professionals Committee has been working hard to add donors to the registry and ensure that no one in need of a match ever be without one again.

After launching a very successful campaign last year where we raised over $20,000 and added more than 350 new potential donors to the registry, we are kicking off our second annual "swab-a-thon" from Memorial Day through Labor Day. This year we are also lucky enough to have an anonymous donor who has very generously agreed to match any money raised, dollar for dollar, up to our goal of $20,000.

Every kit has the potential to save a life. That life saving ability costs $54 to process, so I ask you to help us in our mission. If you have not yet been swabbed, please take the time to request a kit and join the registry. Even if you are already in the registry, you can always help others potentially save lives by donating the funds to get their kits processed.

You can help save a life, be the match!