On Sunday, February 9th, supporters, runners, friends and volunteers gathered for Gift of Life’s fourth annual Walk for Life on the campus of Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. The Walk raises awareness about the importance of bone marrow and blood stem cell donation and raises funds to help grow Gift of Life’s registry of volunteer donors.
Crowds gathered in the early morning fog to enjoy complimentary snacks and drinks, entered raffles to win exciting prizes and warmed up to music. The donor registration area remained busy as volunteers helped potential donors swab their cheeks to join the registry. The many children in attendance were delighted to have their faces and hands painted as well! For the first time, the 5K walk/run was certified through Runner's Edge in Boca Raton, putting the event on the runners' map.
Of course, no Gift of Life event would be complete without a donor recipient meeting, a moving and exciting illustration of the organization’s life-saving work. Ashley Porter, a South Florida correspondent for WPTV NewsChannel 5’s The List, was pleased to serve as Master of Ceremonies and make the special introduction.
The recipient, Susan was thrilled to travel from Chicago, IL to meet her donor, 21-year-old Alec, a recent graduate of Syracuse University who joined Gift of Life’s registry in the summer of 2011 while on a Birthright Israel trip. Alec said that upon hearing that he was a match, he was, “overwhelmed with a sense of purpose, and that knowing at the age of 20 that his life was so valuable to someone else was incomprehensible.” Susan, who was diagnosed with leukemia in April 2012, said, “Meeting Alec today was so emotional. It puts closure on a very long story.”
Marti Freund, Walk for Life Coordinator said, “The annual Walk is a critical fundraising initiative for Gift of Life, but the best part is witnessing such a beautifully emotional scene when the donor and the recipient meet face-to-face for the first time.” She added, “It is a very powerful moment and the perfect kickoff to the event.”
Jay Drew Feldman, a participant at the Walk said, “I’m a big supporter of this organization and the work that they do, because what’s greater than the ability to save someone’s life? It adds more purpose to your life than anything anyone could ever ask for so I’m out here today to support the organization, for a great cause.” He added, “The Walk for Life is a great event. This is a big deal, and I’m proud to be a part of it.”
Gift of Life plans to hold more Walk for Life events in New York, New Jersey and the DC/Virginia area. For information about these and other exciting upcoming events, and to find out how you can get involved, visit www.giftoflife.org or call 800-9MARROW.