Comer, 20, was an Alpha Tau Omega brother at the University of Alabama when he swabbed in February 2025. “We had a philanthropy event at the fraternity house, and I joined the registry right then,” he said. “I got the call just four months later in June that I was a match. I thought it could be my only chance to ever save a life, so I decided to do it.” Comer and his mother came to Florida so he could donate at Gift of Life’s Adelson Collection Center to help a woman in her early 70s diagnosed with acute leukemia. “We got to Boca Raton on a Sunday night and spent some time at the hotel and did a little shopping, but I was a bit drained from the filgrastim, so we just relaxed after that,” said Comer. Donors receive injections for four days before donating to encourage their systems to produce extra stem cells. Some people feel a bit achy or tired from the shots, but this dissipates shortly after donating. “If you are thinking of joining the registry or donating, I say ‘do it’ – it doesn’t hurt, it’s a great experience, and it may be the only chance you ever get to save a life. I also hope I get to meet my recipient someday.”

Marisa, 28, was visiting Israel as part of a gap year program in 2017 when she saw a presentation by Gift of Life and decided to join the registry. But eight years would pass before she got that special phone call. “I was super excited to find out I was a match for a man diagnosed with leukemia,” said Marisa. “There was no question I would donate! Helping someone in need is one of the most rewarding and best things you can do.” Marisa enjoyed the opportunity to go swimming at the beach while she was in Florida for her donation. “This is a very chill process. I am personally not a fan of needles, but this was painless,” said Marisa. “Overall, the whole donation goes really smoothly. It is always worth it to swab and then see what happens.”

Mordechai, 20, recently had the opportunity to help a man in his 50s diagnosed with myelodysplastic disorder, a form of blood cancer. He had joined the registry as a senior in high school in 2024 through the Dr. Michael Osband Senior Swab Program, and 16 months later, was asked to donate. “When I was called as a match, I felt confident about my decision– this is an awesome thing to do for someone else,” said Mordechai. “This doesn’t cost me anything, but for the person who is receiving my stem cells, it could cure blood cancer.” He also encourages others to register as potential donors. “There is no reason not to join the registry, and you should feel confident about donating,” said Mordechai. “This is not a painful process. It is all organized for you, and you are doing a great thing for someone else.”

You, too, could save someone's life.

Click here to order a swab kit and get the registration process started!