Brian, 25, welcomed the opportunity to donate stem cells as the best chance of a cure for a young boy born with Inherited Immune System Disorders. “I joined Gift of Life three years ago during a drive at the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity when I was in college at the University of Southern California – and here I am today, donating!” he said. “I was kind of shocked to get the call that I was a match. I have empathy for the family in this situation and feel like I would want someone else to donate if I were in this situation.” Brian flew in from Los Angeles to donate, and enjoyed his time in Florida, saying, “It’s very nice, I’ve gone to the beach and am sad to be leaving tomorrow. Donating is a good and easy experience. I recommend doing it if you can.”

Cole, 26, donated twice to help his recipient, a man in his mid-30s diagnosed with leukemia. When he joined the registry in 2018 while on a Birthright Israel tour, the Adelson Family Foundation sponsored his swab kit, and his donation turned out to be a milestone: the 100th transplant sponsored by the foundation. “It felt great to find out I was a match,” said Cole. “There’s a low chance of matching, and it didn’t happen until six or seven years after I joined the registry, so I welcomed getting that call.” Cole’s first donation was in July 2024 for blood stem cells. Then in March 2025, the transplant center requested white blood cells to help boost the patient’s recovery. “Gift of Life’s staff is very accommodating; they answer all of your questions and make the process easy. It seems relatively daunting when you first hear about it, but they make it simple, so I would not have any hesitation about donating again.”

Emma, 20, joined the registry in October 2024 at a drive held by her Gordon College field hockey team. “We had a booth during Homecoming Week, inviting people to swab their cheeks, so I did mine and then helped to get other people to sign up,” she said.” It was really cool to find out I could help a man in his 60s who is battling leukemia, and I thought, ‘OK, I know I have to do this.’” Emma takes Gift of Life’s mission to find a donor for every patient to heart. “It may feel overwhelming to think someone’s life depends on you,” she said. “But if you say ‘no’ to swabbing, you are not giving yourself the choice of saving someone’s life in the future – but if you don’t swab in the first place, you never have the chance for this really incredible opportunity.”

You, too, could be someone's lifesaving match. All it takes is a cheek swab to be tested and join the registry! Click here to order your kit!