Nearly 1.7 million people in the United States are living with or in remission from blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma, and millions more suffer from various blood disorders, many of which require blood stem cell or bone marrow transplants in order for the patient to survive.
NMDP, formerly known as National Marrow Donor Program and Be The Match, is a global non-profit organization that seeks blood stem cell donors to save patients with blood cancers and disorders such as leukemia, lymphoma, sickle cell anemia and aplastic anemia.
The Marching Illini’s Oct. 12 halftime show will be centered around NMDP to encourage students and fans in the stadium to join its donor database and potentially save a life.
“A blood stem cell transplant can cure over 75 different diseases, but 70% of patients don’t have a matching donor in their family,” said Terri Haid, account manager with NMDP. “Most people rely on a complete stranger to save their life.”
NMDP uses cheek swabs from volunteers to test their DNA and add their genetic type to the registry. If there’s a match, which could occur within months or several years, potential donors have the option to go through with a blood stem cell transplant.
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“For the people who match, it’s similar to plasma or platelet donation 90% of the time, so it’s not painful to donate and you’re literally saving someone’s life,” Haid said.
Marching Illini Director Barry Houser has been working with NMDP to swab band members for several years, although this will be the first Marching Illini halftime show inspired by NMDP.
“We’ve been talking about doing a (NMDP) halftime show for some time, just because of some of the great messages that we would share with the football crowd and with our students here on campus,” Houser said.
The beginning of the halftime show will feature a video about NMDP’s mission as well as honor a local boy who passed away from leukemia at 21 months old.
“We’re working on how to incorporate something that is extremely sad, but also to use this as a way to encourage those that can to get swabbed to see if they can be a match,” Houser said.
Houser said the rest of the show aims to be more uplifting, focusing on stories of survivors and the hope to save more lives, with the band performing songs such as “Survivor” by Destiny’s Child, “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey and “I’m a Believer” by Smash Mouth.
“Hopefully it’s really focusing on the success stories that take place when someone is a match and they decide to step forward and make that connection,” Houser said. “I think it’s gonna be a pretty entertaining show, but I think we also have a great platform where we can share a great message about a really great organization.”
Those who don’t attend the halftime show still have the opportunity to join the registry by swabbing at NMDP’s tables on Oct. 8, 9 and 10 from 11-3 p.m. at Anniversary Plaza.
Free mailed swab kits can also be requested online or by texting IlliniSave to 61474.
“We’re just excited to let everyone know that the registry exists and NMDP exists,” Haid said. “Everyone has the potential to save a life.”
