On Sunday, May 1, Port Washington’s own Community Synagogue held another successful Mitzvah Day. The annual event was run by the synagogue’s clergy, administration, and over 250 volunteers, which aimed to help the community in various ways. In addition, over 20 nonprofit organizations helped throughout the day, guiding volunteers to projects, such as crayon recycling and cooking lasagnas. These organizations included the Gift of Life Bone Marrow Registry, the North Hempstead Animal Shelter, the Stepping Stone Preschool and many more.

Last week, we were honored to receive the 2022 Corporate Partner Award from the Gift of Life Marrow Registry at its annual One Huge Night Los Angeles Gala at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills. In addition to raising funds for the organization, the Gift of Life Gala offers a chance for transplant recipients and their donors to meet in person for the first time.

Miami University graduating senior Zoe Kelley was sitting in class when she learned that a cheek swab she did during a marrow donor recruitment drive on campus was a match for a 69-year-old patient battling leukemia.

A cancer survivor from Massachusetts got to meet the young woman who helped save his life. Clark, a 61-year-old Needham man, was diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia, an uncommon type of cancer that developed in his bone marrow. Through the Gift of Life Marrow Registry, Clark's match was identified as a 24-year-old woman from New York named Anna.

Dana Shaw, a 61-year-old acute myeloid leukemia survivor, met the woman who saved his life with a blood stem cell transplant, 28-year-old Destinee Salomon, at a recent celebrity golf tournament at Boca West Country Club. The heartwarming and emotional introduction took place at the annual Gift of Life Marrow Registry tournament on April 13.

Thanks to the support of Keiser University volleyball, basketball, and lacrosse team members there are additional donors enrolled in the Gift of Life, an international stem cell and bone marrow registry. Keiser University Seahawk student-athletes first learned of West Palm Beach neighbor Rose Bradwell’s battle with leukemia when they were visited by Gift of Life Marrow Registry Recruitment Manager Traci Ackerman.