A Life-saving Partnership
Jan 30, 2013 by Gift of Life
News
Among Gift of Life’s many important programs is a partnership with Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity. Established in 2004, the partnership began with the goal of raising awareness among college students about the life-saving potential of bone marrow transplants. To date over 5,200 potential donors have been recruited at over 90 donor drives coordinated by AEPi chapters on campuses throughout North America. An incredible 215 matches have been identified and 34 transplants have taken place as a result!
An integral part of the program is education and empowerment. Students work with Gift of Life to take leadership roles in setting up donor drives and develop marketing plans to recruit and educate fellow students. By putting the tools to run successful donor drives in the hands of students and allowing them to take ownership of the planning and implementation, Gift of Life gives them the opportunity to experience firsthand the thrill of planning and participating in an important activity for the greater good of their community.
Gift of Life’s Founder and Executive Director, Jay Feinberg said, "Working with philanthropically active, young men is an important step in building a high quality registry of young, healthy donors who are dedicated to saving lives." Jay was initiated as an honorary Brother of AEPi in 2007.
"The relationship between AEPi and the Gift of Life has been a point of pride for our organization,” said Adam Teitelbaum, AEPi’s Lorber Director of Jewish Programming and Philanthropy. “Our ability to teach undergraduate Brothers and their local communities about the importance of self-sacrifice and helping people in need is a life lesson that helps make our Brothers stronger men and members of the Jewish people. Additionally, AEPi sponsored bone marrow registry drives have led to the unprecedented and ever impressive number of potential donor matches and actual donations.”
Recently, an AEPi alum, Mickey, who joined Gift of Life’s registry while at an AEPi convention in 2004, donated bone marrow to an eight year old girl. In an email sent to Andy Borans, Executive Director of AEPi, Mickey said, “I don't know her name or where she lives. She could be anyone, anywhere. She probably has a long road towards recovery but through Gift of Life she at least has a chance.” He continued, “I want you to know that AEPi's commitment to philanthropy and Jewish causes really do make a difference. In this case, if everything goes well with the donation, AEPi's partnership with Gift of Life really has the chance to save a life.”
Gift of Life is excited to continue its partnership with AEPi, looks forward to many more years of educating young college students on the benefits of donating bone marrow and recruiting potential donors for the worldwide registry. If you would like to run a donor drive on your college campus or your community, please contact Recruitment.
AEPi is a global fraternity that provides opportunities for men seeking a better college experience. The fraternity has 155 active chapters through the United States, Canada, Israel, and the United Kingdom.
