In an effort to help a pair of individuals in need who have connections to Florida State University, the Gift of Life at FSU will host a donor drive from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 18, on Landis Green.
With a quick cheek swab, participants will join a public registry and find out if they are a match for patients in need of a life-saving bone marrow transplant.
Two members of the FSU family are in search of a match. FSU alumna Rose Bradwell (’99) is a 45-year-old wife, mother, and physician assistant who was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in December 2020. Carter Soriano, the 10-year-old son of FSU alumni Tim (’02) and Lyndsay Soriano (’07), is battling aplastic anemia, a rare disease impacting his bone marrow and blood.
Destinee Campbell, a current student at FSU’s College of Law, gathered leaders from the Student Government Association and Fraternity and Sorority Life to mobilize their communities and organize The Gift of Life at FSU event to possibly make a life-changing difference for someone in need of a transplant.
“This donor registry event is of the utmost importance because FSU students and the Tallahassee community have the ability to potentially save the lives of Rose, Carter and anyone who is currently on the bone marrow transplant registry,” Campbell said. “Most students are of the prime age to be bone marrow donors, so it is important that we take advantage of this opportunity.”
Students and community members are invited to attend — anyone 18 to 35 years of age and in good health is encouraged to stop by the Landis Green event for a quick swab collection. A transplant can cure nearly 100 conditions, including blood cancer, sickle cell disease and inherited immune system disorders.
Campbell explained how this program has touched the life of one of her family members.
“I would love to see matches for Rose and Carter be found as my brother received a bone marrow transplant a few years ago,” she said. “I understand the feeling of urgency and searching for hope. Being a part of this greater cause is so important, and I urge the community to come out and support these FSU families.”
Those who are interested in participating but are unable to stop by the event are encouraged to visit Gift of Life’s Donor Circle online at www.giftoflife.org/dc/FloridDC to receive a kit in the mail along with a prepaid return envelope. Additional questions regarding donations can be directed to Destinee Campbell at DC16X@my.fsu.edu.