Be on the Bone Marrow Match Registry, Register Bay Area College Students: Here’s How You Can Register, Too

MORAGA, CA (KGO) — A cape was tied around the college student’s neck, to much fanfare and applause. This is because students are superheroes.

Those who signed up for the Be the Match bone marrow roster at California’s St. Mary’s College on Tuesday received capes and roses and the feeling they could save a life.

“We are looking for young people between the ages of 18 and 40,” says Be the Match recruiter Jennifer Nash.

VIDEO: North Bay woman needs bone marrow transplant as demand for diversity of donors rises

Nash said the Be the Match registry helps people diagnosed with more than 77 different types of cancer and blood disorders find their perfect match.

“It’s harder for people of color to find a mate because there are fewer people of color registered,” she said.

“Our goal is to change that. Our goal is to make it fair and equitable for everyone who needs a match.”

RELATED: Teenager’s quest for bone marrow leads to unlikely friendship with NBA star

“This process is much easier than I expected. And, frankly, easier than a COVID test,” said student Julien Cardenas.

The PR specialist said GMA’s Robin Roberts, who found a mate in her sister due to a rare blood condition a decade ago, inspired him to volunteer to become a couple himself one day.

VIDEO: Robin Roberts Celebrates 10 Years of Life-Saving Bone Marrow Transplant: How to Become a Donor

All it took was mobile phone registration, a signature and a swab to get on the register.

“I hope that one day it will actually be used and they will call me back,” Cardenas said.

The whole process is simple – a smear to get into the registry.

Then if someone is contacted about being a donor – perfect match – then 90% of the time it’s as easy as taking blood.

Join the donor registry here

Will Thompson, 20, said: “It’s a one, two, three process. It took me about five minutes to register with the registry. It can really save someone’s life.”

“It works so well on my heart. I love that they save lives,” said bone marrow donor Darlene Bennett.

Bennett’s brother eventually died of leukemia despite her being the perfect match. “My husband is the coach of the men’s basketball team. They accepted this registry and became donors themselves,” she said.

Somewhere between now and when they turn 61, these college students may receive a life-changing call: they’ll be the perfect donor for someone in need of a superhero.

You can register online or by texting KGO to 61474.

If you are on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live

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