My CSGC grant project focused on a cause close to my heart. I wanted to increase the number of blood and bone marrow donors, particularly within the Black community. I partnered with the Gift of Life Marrow Registry to organize a drive dedicated to educating and finding life saving donors. My motivation was deeply personal to my family. Something that is not talked about enough is the low percentage of people of color finding matching donors. As people slowly came to the table and took swab tests, it reminded me of the sense of relief I felt knowing that my own father would have a chance finding a donor if he ever need one. Although my dad is white and has a much higher percentage of finding a match, I, as a black woman, wanted to extend that same hope to many people of color. I planned a donor drive and used the incentive of an iPad raffle giveaway for those who chose to learn more and joined the registry. Talking and seeing all the people interested in learning more made me feel like there was such a great support system within the black community.
