Blaise, 26, recently donated stem cells to help save the life of a woman in her 60s diagnosed with leukemia. “I joined the registry back in 2020, during the pandemic, at a virtual swabbing drive organized by Chi Psi fraternity at Yale,” said Blaise. “Getting the call to donate after five years was very unexpected, but I knew if I had the opportunity to help someone, I could not say no.” Blaise’s collection was done at Gift of Life’s collection center. “During my time in Florida, I’ve gotten some good food, spent some time at the beach and the pool, and just relaxed at the hotel,” he said. “Although at first I was worried about the needles, it is a pretty easy process and has gone even smoother than I ever thought it could be. It is really cool to have this opportunity to help a woman who needs a transplant.”

Sohan, 20, was walking around Nova Southeastern University’s Pre-Health Career Day in 2023 when he came across Campus Ambassadors recruiting new donors and decided to swab. “I got the call early in 2025 to donate for a patient in his 70s with leukemia, but I had forgotten at first I had even registered,” said Sohan. “I was both a little scared and a little excited, because they told me I could potentially save his life. That’s what made me decide to donate, being able to help someone.” He came to Boca Raton to donate at Gift of Life’s Adelson Collection Center and had an excellent experience. “They treated me really well – everything was paid for,” he said. “The transportation was right there; the hotel is beautiful and near the ocean. I went to the beach and played some golf yesterday, then went to the pool. I also got to hang out with my friends who live locally.” He feels that donating stem cells was easier than he expected. “For anyone thinking about joining the registry, it seems a little scary but once you get into the process it isn’t at all,” Sohan said. “It seemed like nothing at all on my part compared to what my recipient is going through.”

Felix, 19, was happy to find a way to be able to help people in need and has donated stem cells to help a man in his 40s diagnosed with leukemia.  “I can’t really donate blood, so I was trying to find something else that I could do,” said Felix. “I swabbed to join the registry in 2024 at the University of Maryland, so it was not that long ago.” That drive was organized by the Hillel chapter on campus. “I was surprised to be called so soon,” said Felix. “It’s been a little rainy during my time here at the collection center, but that didn’t stop me from going to the beach and having fun. If you are thinking of donating, just go for it. Even though there are a few steps that go into it, the process is not hard, it’s a lot of fun, and you get to help another person.”

You, too, could save someone's life.

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