Everything’s bigger in Texas, they say, and that goes for charity pickleball tournaments as well as big hats, big steaks, and big hair!

The “Pickle With a Purpose” benefit tournament held on October 25, 2024, was organized by Harlan Davis, Executive Vice President at CBRE, a long-time corporate supporter of Gift of Life, and raised enough funds to add more than 2,500 new donors to the registry. Every donor that joins the registry has the potential to save a life, and the $60 lab processing of each new donor’s kit is funded through donations and charitable contributions.

“I have been looking for a charity to get behind my entire adult life,” said Harlan. “After losing my mom to leukemia in 2016, and then having a sister diagnosed with leukemia in October last year, I knew this was the cause I was seeking. I wanted to help raise awareness of the process people go through once being diagnosed.”

Harlan learned about Gift of Life through his New York colleague, Steven B. Siegel, who not only serves as the Chairman of Global Brokerage at CBRE but is also the Chairman of the Board for Gift of Life. Steve’s wife, Wendy Siegel, was diagnosed with leukemia in 2012, and a Gift of Life donor saved her life through a stem cell transplant.

The event was a huge success, with 200 participants showing up to compete in the tournament, watch their friends and family play, and support the cause.

The high point of the event was when Harlan introduced Gift of Life donor Matthew “Matt” Schinsky, 25, to the grateful transplant recipient whose life he saved, 67-year-old Jeff Saville.  

Jeff, a resident of Carrollton, Texas, was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of blood cancer called plasma cell disorder, which reduces immune function and can damage vital organs. The only potential cure for the retired husband and father was a stem cell transplant. With no match in his family, his doctors turned to the registry to search for an unrelated donor, and quickly found his best match, Matt, was already registered with Gift of Life.

“I joined at a drive for the University of North Carolina’s Alpha Kappa Psi business fraternity during the rush process,” said Matt, who now lives in Brooklyn and works as a finance associate. “Although it was happenstance that I joined when I did, my uncle has leukemia and I have a cousin who donated bone marrow, so I had some familiarity with the process and the effectiveness of the treatment.”

Matt’s stem cell collection was completed at Gift of Life’s Adelson Collection Center in Boca Raton, Fla., where he said, “I was treated like family. The process is extremely orderly, and I appreciate everyone at Gift of Life who made it such a seamless experience.”

During his transplant, Jeff had a lot of support from his family, friends and community.

“My wife Priscilla supported me throughout my treatment,” said Jeff. “Friends were willing to help us, and always asking how I was doing and praying for me. The whole thing was very difficult, and we were extremely happy when the stem cells arrived.”

Although Jeff and Matt had exchanged emails before the event, it was incredibly special and emotional for them to meet in person.

“Matt, I don’t know what to say other than thank you – you are our hero, a kind and caring person,” said Jeff.

“Donating to help Jeff changed some of my self-perception, I can always look at this experience and know I helped him in a unique and special way,” said Matt. “This has been extremely rewarding.” 

Jeff, 67, is a resident of Carrollton, Texas and is married to Priscilla. They have three adult children. Jeff enjoys following his favorite sports teams and playing cards.

Thank you to Harlan Davis and CBRE for organizing Pickle With a Purpose and making it such an incredible success.