Joshua, 31, had been on Gift of Life’s registry for almost eight years when he was called as a match. “I was nervous at first, but when you have the opportunity to save someone’s life – for me, a woman in her early 60s battling leukemia – there was no question about doing it, especially with the process being so easy and convenient.” Joshua had signed up while on a Birthright Israel trip, and like many donors, while he did not match a patient immediately, it was fortunate that he was already in the registry when he was needed. “My brother came with me for the procedure, and I enjoyed the chance to spend time with him,” said Joshua. “Gift of Life put us up in a nice hotel nearby, and they took really good care of us. It was great to relax before donating, as I had a little bit of a phobia about giving blood and donating. But the process was seamless, and everyone was incredibly supportive. In the end, you really can save someone’s life, and there’s no reason not to; it is easy and convenient.”
Michael, 41, joined the registry in 2016 at the University of Cincinnati during a “Match Madness” drive organized by Hillel, a student organization that partners with Gift of Life. “I have always wanted to help others, especially someone in urgent need like this – a man diagnosed with leukemia – so when the call came, I accepted,” said Michael. “I live in the Midwest and brought a friend with me to the ‘donation vacation,’ and we enjoyed the sunshine.” Michael offered advice about donating for anyone who might want to join the registry. “Some of the hesitancy people feel when it comes to this is that they don’t know the process,” he said. “It’s understandable to worry that it could be uncomfortable, but having done it, it really isn’t. This is a very rewarding experience, knowing you’re helping a person out, so I recommend that anybody who can do so get on the registry."
Jake, 24, a medical student at Florida State University, swabbed to join the registry at a drive held by the American Medical Student Association in 2023. “I was surprised and excited to learn I was a match as it came two years after I registered,” said Jake. “I decided to donate because it would have so little effect on me, but could save the life of my recipient, a man diagnosed with MDS, a form of blood cancer.” Jake also enjoyed his trip to South Florida, so he could donate at the Adelson Collection Center in Gift of Life’s headquarters. “It’s been really nice, and I’ve had fun, enjoyed exploring the town, having dinner -it has just been a good time,” said Jake. “My donor services coordinator made everything simple and easy for me, planning everything so that it took no effort from me. I only had to show up at the appointments. Donating made me feel really good, and I hope someone would do the same for me.”