Be Someone’s Second Chance via Gift of Life!
By Valerie Escobar
Have you been affected by or know someone who has suffered because of blood cancer? Every three minutes, someone is diagnosed with a blood cancer or autoimmune disorder, and based on figures from 2020 to 2024, 1 in 7 donor searches are for children 18 and under. For many patients, finding a matching donor is their last resort and only hope. That’s where Gift of Life comes in, working to build a diverse donor registry to give more people a second chance at life.
Gift of Life is a non-profit organization dedicated to saving the lives of patients battling blood cancers and disorders such as leukemia and sickle cell anemia. We do this by adding people to our registry through a simple cheek swab to help identify potential matches for patients in need of Blood Stem Cell or Bone Marrow Transplants.
More than 75 diseases can be cured or treated by stem cell or bone marrow transplants. Peripheral Blood Stem Cell (93%) and Bone Marrow (7%) transplants are often the last treatment option, meaning chemotherapy, radiation, or other therapies have not been successful. For these patients, a transplant can mean survival and give them their life back.
Matches are determined by proteins on cells called Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA), and the best chance of finding a genetic match is with someone of similar ethnicity and genetic heritage. Therefore, there is a critical need for greater diversity within the registry so that all patients have an equal chance at finding their life-saving donor.
Unfortunately, many ethnic groups are currently underrepresented. African American/Black patients have only a 29% chance of finding a match and patients of Hispanic/Latino background have a 48% chance. Individuals of Asian or Pacific Islander have a 47% likelihood of finding their life-saving match compared to a 79% opportunity for White patients. By joining the registry, you have a unique opportunity of minimizing this disparity and potentially saving someone’s life.
Thanks to the dedication of our incredible active donors, Gift of Life has had the gift of facilitating over 6,000 life-saving transplants to blood cancer patients as of 2025. Florida is home to some of the most diverse communities in the world, and with Gift of Life based in Boca Raton, we have the opportunity to save lives of patients all over the country and in 47 other nations.
Although only 1 in 76 registered donors are ever called as a match, you may be someone’s hero. Donations are completely voluntary, and if you are identified as a match, Gift of Life covers all donation-related expenses, including travel, medical care, food, and more! If identified and contacted as a match, a Confirmatory Typing (CT) stage with a simple blood draw will confirm compatibility.
Joining the registry is simple and quick, where those interested in saving a life complete a short health questionnaire and then complete a swab kit by swabbing the inside of their cheek for about 10-15 seconds. When completed, the check swabs will return to Gift of Life’s state-of-the-art laboratory for HLA tissue typing. Once tested, you will join the worldwide registry with your unique donor numbers and HLA factors, giving hope to patients and their families of finding their perfect match.
Individuals ages 18–35 are eligible to join the registry if in general good health! 97% of transplants are done by donors of this age range for the patient to have the highest chance of survival.
Gift of Life is honored to participate in the 7th Annual International Festival in Fort Walton Beach on March 21st, 2026.
