MaryGrace first heard about the need to build the global stem cell/marrow registry during her freshman year at the University of South Carolina. Her sorority chapter of Delta Zeta was hosting their annual mega-drive, Sweet Caroline, in honor of a sorority sister who passed away from leukemia. In preparation for the event, the women were educated on the urgent need to build the registry and how easy it is to save a life. On the first day of this mega-drive, MaryGrace decided that she wanted to join the registry in case she could help one of the patients looking for a match.
MaryGrace could not believe the ironic timing of receiving a call as a match, as it came the same day the Delta Zetas discussed their commitment to philanthropy and Sweet Caroline during sorority recruitment. She immediately knew that she would donate for this man, who was around her father’s age. She said that if it was her own father who needed a transplant, she would want anyone that matched to be willing to donate for him.
MaryGrace spent the next few months talking with her donor coordinator about the process. She appreciated the open and honest line of communication provided. Once her patient was ready to receive a transplant, MaryGrace flew to Boca Raton, Florida with her mother. After the donation was complete, she recalls feeling great both physically and mentally, and thought to herself, “Why doesn’t everyone do this?”
Now in the middle of her sophomore year, MaryGrace is looking forward to adding more people to the registry at Sweet Caroline and sharing her story to encourage others to sign up. Her donation has ignited a new passion for the philanthropy event hosted by her sorority not only for herself, but for all of her friends who will also be participating in the event. They are more determined than ever to help more patients like MaryGrace’s find the lifesaving match that they need.