While in his first semester at California State University, Northridge, Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity (AEPi) brother Raphael decided to join Gift of Life’s marrow registry during the fraternity’s philanthropy week. 

“I wasn’t able to make it to the swab-a-thon and I almost didn’t swab, but luckily there were leftover kits at the Pi house after the event was over,” said Raphael. “I don’t think I realized the importance of joining until later. I do have a family history of cancer, losing both my aunt and grandma. I understand what such a loss does to families.” 

Two years later, in 2022, Raphael received a call from Gift of Life explaining to him that he was a match for a 66-year-old man battling Myelodysplastic Disorder. 

“I was speechless,” said Raphael. "I told my mom and girlfriend who were initially skeptical, but as I learned more about the process and was at ease myself, I was able to better explain it to them.”

Gift of Life coordinated with Raphael to fly him at no expense to Boca Raton, Fla. to donate Peripheral Blood Stem Cells (PBSC). Prior to collection donors receive a shot of Neupogen each day for four days to help mobilize the cells into the circulating blood for collection. The fifth and final shot is given just before donating. Neupogen can make some donors feel achy, and this was the case for Raphael. But it also meant that he mobilized a large number of stem cells, and his donation was completed quickly. 

“The Gift of Life people are some of the best healthcare professionals I’ve ever encountered,” said Raphael. “They make the experience feel like a first-class spa. They give you the privacy of a donor suite and are attentive in delivering food, drinks and entertainment; or just checking in during the process.”

Six months after his PBSC donation, Raphael received another call from Gift of Life asking if he would donate white blood cells to help his recipient. Donors are occasionally asked to do this a second time to help boost the recipient’s immune system during recovery, and Neupogen is not necessary. 

“The second time was much easier,” said Raphael. “I went in to donate and spent a few hours hooked up to a machine and watched Netflix. I was feeling almost 100% walking out of the collection center, and was perfectly fine the next day.”

Raphael is not the only AEPi brother from his chapter to donate. 

“Since I donated, two other brothers in my fraternity have also been called as matches,” said Raphael. “They both came to me first and asked me about it. I feel honored to have found myself as the donation consultant!”

Raphael added, “I don’t consider myself special or different for having done this, I just feel like I made the decision anyone in their right mind would make if they got the news informing them they’re a match. Saving your fellow humans is what this experience is about. If you have the opportunity to donate, do it. Not doing it would be a missed once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, you don’t want to regret not taking it.”

Raphael, 21, is a student and filmmaker at California State University, Northridge and a member of the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity. When not in class, he enjoys hiking, playing with his dog, and snowboarding. 

Raphael’s swab kit was sponsored by the AEPi Fraternity Donor Circle.    

Raphael was also featured in AEPi's national news. Click here to read his story.