Take action, walk the walk, pay it forward – no matter what you call it, we want you!
In 1991, Gift of Life Marrow Registry started as a grassroots effort and that spirited community approach is still at the core of the organization’s operations. Volunteers are an essential part of the Gift of Life family and we offer many opportunities – you can easily find a place for your talents. Whether you have a personal tie to the cause, want the opportunity to help others, or want to meet forward looking people with a positive attitude, we welcome you to join us! When you volunteer with Gift of Life, you will find it personally rewarding to know that your actions helped save someone’s life.
What is it like to be involved with Gift of Life? These three volunteers explain what attracted them to the organization, and why they keep coming back.
Susan Weiss [r] holds a donor drive on Super Sunday at the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, Ohio.
Susan Weiss, a former accountant who works in a school office in Cleveland, Ohio learned about Gift of Life in 2005 when her sister became involved in holding recruitment drives to help find a donor for a teenage girl suffering from leukemia. Susan volunteered to run drives as well, and twelve years later, she’s still at it!
“My first drive was held before social media began,” said Susan. “I emailed everyone I could think of, the Jewish Federation, day schools, law offices, businesses and synagogues. I posted signs everywhere – and to my surprise, 500 people came to the drive!” Susan has had tremendous success, as is shown in her Donor Circle.
Susan piggybacks her donor drives with larger events, like the Ohio State University Hillel Back to School Barbeque, the Yom Ha'atzmaut [Israel Independence Day] celebration in Cleveland, Race for the Cure and the Jewish Federation of Cleveland Super Sunday – where she swabs the many volunteers who organize the event. “It’s fun to meet so many cool people, and the return on investment for my time is huge,” said Susan. “There aren’t many places you can volunteer and actually save someone’s life.”
Gift of Life makes it easy for Susan – or any volunteer – to run a drive. After a training session by phone, your drive supplies, which include swab kits and brochures, are shipped to your door. On completion of the event, items are shipped back to our office using a prepaid shipping label.
Susan’s best tip is, “Run every drive like it was for your own family. People want to do good, but they don’t have an outlet for it. This is easy, all they have to do is swab!”
Dale organizing supplies for a donor recruitment drive.
Dale MacCutcheon, a retired teacher of 38 years and resident of Boca Raton, Florida, started volunteering at the Gift of Life headquarters in 2016 when a friend invited her.
"There are plenty of places to volunteer, but I keep coming back because I like the people,” said Dale. Gift of Life holds donor recruitment drives and fundraising events across the United States, and leftover supplies are shipped back to the office after each event. That’s when Dale takes over.
“I unpack the boxes, organize everything that was sent in and inventory it,” she said. “We need to know whether items are damaged or missing and must be replaced, then everything is prepped to be shipped out to the next event.”
Dale’s eye for detail ensures that Gift of Life’s events always run smoothly.
Mike volunteers at Gift of Life events in New York City, including Celebrating Life and the Steps for Life 5K Run & Walk.
Many who donate blood stem cells or bone marrow develop a deep connection to Gift of Life and have a strong desire to further the mission. One such volunteer is Mike Sprachman who donated stem cells in April 2013. Mike was accompanied to his donation by Gift of Life Project Manager Nick Hudson, who invited him to join the Young Professionals Committee in New York. Mike jumped right into the networking group to help plan and organize events, including the annual Celebrating Life NY fundraiser honoring donors and recipients, as well as the Steps for Life 5K in New York.
“What I like best about volunteering is meeting new people and giving back to Gift of Life,” said Mike. “When I tell the organization’s story it’s also my own story as a donor, and this is a mission I believe in. I’m able to answer questions from personal experience, and that helps people decide to become involved.” Mike, who works at a software company in Manhattan, is great at tracking down exciting raffle items that will attract big contributions at fundraising events. “It’s a lot of work chasing people down to get these arranged, but I make connections with new people and can educate them about Gift of Life’s mission,” he said.
His advice for new volunteers? “Don’t be scared to take the first step and attend a meeting. It can be scary if you don’t know anyone, but you’ll meet great people and everyone is treated equally,” said Mike. “This is the kind of organization that takes your ideas into account and listens to its volunteers.”
Gift of Life events happen across the United States and in Israel nearly every day of the year, offering ample opportunities for volunteers to use their abilities and learn new skills:
Call 800-962-7769 today to volunteer with Gift of Life Marrow Registry – you’ll find great people, rewarding opportunities, and a team that appreciates you!