William, 22, was a student at DePauw University when he joined the registry. “My roommate was a Gift of Life donor, and he was doing recruitment drives on campus, so I swabbed,” he said. “I was very excited to know that I could save someone’s life. The first time I matched, they didn’t need me, but I matched someone else a few months ago. Honestly, I was hesitant at first about the needles, but just knowing I could save someone’s life meant a lot to me, and I went through with donating. Also, I’m from the Midwest, so it was really nice to be down in Florida staying at the beach during the winter.” William’s donation will help his matching recipient, a man in his mid-60s diagnosed with myelodysplastic disorder.

Hannah, 27, signed up to be a donor while an undergraduate at the University of Florida, and has now donated stem cells to help a woman in her 60s diagnosed with leukemia. "I was shocked to learn I had matched because it had been seven or eight years since I signed up,” she said. “I prayed and thought a lot about donating and knew it was just the right thing to do. Whatever I can do to help save somebody else, I’ll do it. More people should really join the registry; it’s so simple to do, and you never know who needs your help. My dad shared a story with me that his business partner lost his son because he didn’t have a match in the registry. Many lives can be saved if people join.”

Spencer, 29, swabbed to join Gift of Life while in Tel Aviv on his Birthright Israel trip in 2019. His matching patient, a man in his late 40s, was being treated for leukemia. “When I learned I was a match, I was surprised but really thrilled that I could contribute to someone in that way,” he said. “These patients are battling such a difficult diagnosis and course of treatment that anything I can do to help give them a second chance is worthwhile, especially with this little gesture of giving stem cells.”

If you’d like your chance to save someone’s life, click here to order a swab kit to be sent to your home. Just complete the registration form, swab your cheeks, and return the kit in the postage paid envelope!