The Maccabeats and Mayim Bialik are at it again!
As the Maccabeats prepare to release their latest Chanukah video, Burn, they will be partnering with Emmy-nominated actress Mayim Bialik to unveil a new video promoting the life-saving Judy Greenberg Miracle Match Campaign, which aims to raise both funds and awareness for Gift of Life, while growing the donor registry. Now in its third year, the Campaign has raised over $109,000 for Gift of Life; these funds have gone directly towards processing 2,687 donor kits, including those recruited at Maccabeats concerts nationwide. To date, the Campaign is responsible for 45 donor matches and 13 transplant requests.
Dr. Mayim Bialik, known for her roles on Blossom and the hit CBS show The Big Bang Theory, is a longtime supporter of Gift of Life. "I am thrilled to again be involved with the Miracle Match campaign with The Maccabeats,” Mayim stated, “We have literally helped people save lives by becoming bone marrow donor registrants, and we have helped people change the world by saving a life.” The Maccabeats are an a cappella group with a large fan base, with more than 10 million views on YouTube, numerous TV appearances, and two albums. For the past two years, the two are joining forces to raise awareness and funds for the life-saving work of Gift of Life.
Michael Greenberg, founder of the Maccabeats, lost his mother to leukemia when he was 14 years old; the Judy Greenberg Miracle Match Campaign was created two years ago in her memory. Greenberg says, “My mother was an incredible woman, and she died of leukemia. At that time, transplantation wasn't where it is today, but if she were alive now, I would do anything to make sure we found her match; instead, we're trying to ensure that other people's loved ones find their matches.”
According to Greenberg, “We've been so blessed over the past few years, and this was a very meaningful way of giving back and using the popularity of the Maccabeats to help others. The money raised has done so much, but there is a continual need to ensure that every potential donor is added to the registry.” When asked why he thinks the Campaign resonates with so many people, Greenberg said, “I think that at a fundamental level, people intuit what the Talmud says: that when someone saves one life it's as though she or he has saved the whole world. I also think that people are looking for opportunities to do good and help others; they just want to know they're really making a difference, and in this case, they really are.”
The Campaign is centered primarily around a strong social media presence and website, www.makesomemiracles.com, developed by startup entrepreneur Joe Teplow, a pioneer of online marketing and crowd-funded philanthropy. Volunteers can request a swab kit and make a donation to Gift of Life. Just in case the thought of saving lives was not incentive enough, the Maccabeats and Mayim Bialik have contributed several exciting items and experiences, such as music and autographed The Big Bang Theory scripts. A video, produced by volunteers including Teplow and Maccabeats producer Uri Westrich, and edited by Gift of Life blood stem cell donor, Jamian Shapiro, explains how the Miracle Match Campaign saves lives and outlines ways to get involved.
In addition to the Campaign, the Maccabeats are very excited to be releasing their new Chanukah video and are working on an album that will be released in the spring. According to Greenberg, “I hope to expand the Miracle Match Campaign as much as possible. There are donor kits waiting to go to the lab to be processed, and with Gift of Life's incredible recruitment efforts, that need will persist.” He added, “We have been overwhelmed by the support of fans and friends around the world who came together to make the Campaign a success. It has been inspiring to experience just how much individual people working together can do.”
For more information and to make a donation or request a test kit, click here.