Daughter's dying wish became mother's motivation

There are many ways to support the life-saving mission of Be The Match. Joining the registry is just the beginning. Even if you’re not called as a potential donor for a patient, you can make a difference. 

Take Marla, for instance.

Daughter’s words were an inspiration to Marla 

Marla kept hearing the words her daughter said to her shortly before she died: “Mom, I know this is going to be really hard on you, but I don’t want it to ruin your life.” Diagnosed at age seven with an adult form of leukemia, Marla’s daughter Nicole received a marrow transplant from her brother. But after just six years, Nicole relapsed and lost her battle with cancer at the young age of 14. It was a devastating loss. And it was the constant memory of Nicole’s words that enabled Marla to move forward.

In Nicole’s memory, her family founded an all-volunteer nonprofit organization with a mission to help children waiting for a cure. Be The Match has been a beneficiary of Marla’s tireless efforts. Funds raised help add potential donors to the Be The Match Registry^® and support transplant research to improve outcomes for patients. Marla has also supported our mission in many other ways.

Giving back has become a way of life

Marla has sponsored Be The Match recruitment drives, supported the Be The One Run in Tampa, Florida, and signed up to be a volunteer marrow courier. “It is such a privilege to be entrusted to deliver what is literally someone’s new life,” said Marla. “I am so grateful to be a link in the chain of loving actions that began with someone who attended a marrow drive, registered as a potential donor, and ultimately decided to give a stranger the gift of life.” 

As Marla’s motto reminds us, “One person cannot do everything, but everyone can do something.”

There are many ways you can help patients. Consider making a financial contribution, raising funds, volunteering your time or helping us spread the word about the need for registry members.