Stories

Off the Field: 49ers Coach Gifts a Second Chance at Life

Dec 2022 MEDIA COVERAGE

On a birthright trip in 2013, San Francisco 49ers offensive quality control coach Deuce Schwartz joined Gift of Life's marrow registry. Nine years later, Schwartz matched with San Francisco native and 49ers Faithful Tony Hartman, who was diagnosed with Leukemia, for a blood stem cell transplant that would save Hartman's life.

Transplant Recipient Meets His Donor, a 49ers Coach, for the First Time

Dec 2022 MEDIA COVERAGE

Tony Hartman, a blood stem cell transplant recipient, met 49ers offensive quality control coach Deuce Schwartz for the first time after undergoing a stem cell transplant to save his life.

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Recruiting for the bone marrow registry with Billy Begal and Kira Epstein Begal

Dec 2022 MEDIA COVERAGE

For nearly 30 years, William "Billy" Begal has been a motivating force behind the Gift of Life Marrow Registry, a stem cell and bone marrow registry that cures blood cancer and inherited immune disorders through bone marrow donation.

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Gift of Life hosts “Swab-A-Thon” event to help those in need

Nov 2022 MEDIA COVERAGE

On Feb. 22 and 23, Gift of Life Marrow Registry held the first event of its winter Swab-A-Thon event in Kirkhof Center located on the Grand Valley State University Allendale campus.

Cancer Survivor Meets Life-Saving Donor on Hockey Fights Cancer Night

Nov 2022 MEDIA COVERAGE

Donald Hirsch remembers every moment from the day he received a life-saving phone call. The Minneapolis, Minn., native had just gotten back to his campsite after wrapping up a well-earned day of fishing and relaxation when his cell phone rang. The call was from Gift of Life - a non-profit organization that matches blood stem-cell and marrow donors to individuals battling blood cancer.

‘Swabbing Drive’ to benefit Gift of Life Marrow Registry

Nov 2022 MEDIA COVERAGE

Gift of Life Marrow Registry was established in 1991. The organization is dedicated to saving lives by facilitating blood stem cell and bone marrow transplants for patients with leukemia, lymphoma, and other blood-related diseases. The registry houses its own state-of-the-art stem cell collection center, biobank, and laboratory.