Football team hosting annual “Be the Match” drive

The football team will hold its fourth annual “Be the Match” bone marrow registry drive from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 21 in the Rodgers Recreation Center. Over the last three years, the drive has led to four donors matching someone in need of bone marrow.

The procedure requires a simple swab of cheek cells, administered by the Rhode Island Blood Center for its “Be the Match” registry. Donors determined to be a potential match will be asked to provide a follow-up blood sample to confirm, and then, following an information session and physical exam, it would be “decision time.”

Members of the Salve Regina community are encouraged to participate if they are between the ages of 18 and 44, are in good health and are willing to donate to any person. You remain on the registry list until you are 60. There is no charge.

In 2014, the Seahawks were honored with the “Be the Match Bone Marrow Program Award” from the Rhode Island Blood Center. Former Gov. Lincoln Chafee presented the team with a governor’s citation in honor of the award, and the Seahawks also received special recognition from Congressman James Langevin.

For more information on the Rhode Island Blood Center’s National Marrow Donor Program, call (401) 248-5720 or visit www.marrow.org.