Registry events for blood stem cell, bone marrow and organ donations
Dallas, Texas — When the Medical City Foundation hosts its annual blood stem cell, bone marrow and organ donor registration events in the next few weeks, Corey Koif plans to be first in line, in tribute to his mother, who passed away two weeks ago of a blood cancer.
The Medical City Foundation is advancing healthcare through partnerships with nonprofit organizations Earl Young’s Team, Southwest Transplant Alliance and LifeGift to host blood stem cell, bone marrow and organ donation registration events at 13 Medical City Healthcare hospitals across North Texas during April’s Donate Life Month.
Through a simple and quick cheek swab process, adults aged 18 to 55 are invited to join the blood stem cell and bone marrow donation registry. Participants will also have the chance to register online for organ donation in partnership with Southwest Transplant Alliance and LifeGift.
“The events underscore the Medical City Foundation’s support of Medical City Healthcare’s commitment to the community's health and well-being,” says Allen Harrison, chair of the Medical City Foundation and president of Medical City Healthcare. "Everyone who registers has the potential to save lives. Along with our world-class systems of care and our blood cancer treatment program, together we can create healthier tomorrows.”
Gold-medal Olympian turned blood registry champion Earl Young received a bone marrow transplant at Medical City Dallas in 2012 and was later inspired to create Earl Young’s Team, a nonprofit organization that aims to defeat blood cancer through donor awareness.
Stem cell and bone marrow transplantation and organ donation provide hope and a second chance at life to patients facing serious medical conditions and cancers, including leukemia.
Blood Stem Cell, Bone Marrow and Organ Donation Registry Event Schedule (11:00am - 1:00pm)
- March 31 – Medical City Decatur, Medical City Frisco, Medical City Lewisville
- April 1 – Medical City Arlington, Medical City Las Colinas
- April 2 – Medical City Denton
- April 3 – Medical City Alliance, Medical City Fort Worth, Medical City North Hills
- April 4 – Medical City Dallas, Medical City Plano
- April 16 – Medical City Weatherford
- April 24 – Medical City McKinney
A stem-cell transplant was not an option for Corey Koif’s mom, who was diagnosed after cancer had spread too far. However, 23,000 blood stem cell transplants are performed annually, according to the Health Resources & Services Administration. Koif, who is helping organize the registry event at Medical City Alliance on April 3, says he would be honored to donate if he is a match.
“My mom would be proud to know that I am stepping up to help someone else in need, just as she taught us,” says Koif, communications and community engagement director at Medical City Alliance. “I hope I can inspire others to join the registry as well. You never know when you will be called on, but you could save a life.”