Southwestern College pre-health professionals will be available at upcoming athletic events to offer information and registration opportunities for a bone marrow drive.

According to Caitlin Koch, co-president for pre-health professionals, students and community members may register at the Southwestern College volleyball match at 3 and 7 p.m., in Stewart Field House on Friday, Sept. 21; at the Southwestern College football game on Saturday, Sept. 22, at 6 p.m., in Jantz Stadium; or on Wednesday, Sept. 26, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the Java Jinx, located in the Roy L. Smith Student Center. 

Last summer the son of Southwestern College academic dean Ross Peterson-Veatch, Oscar, was diagnosed with aplastic anemia. His treatment required a bone marrow transplant. Oscar was fortunate to find a donor match and had a transplant on Sept. 11. In his honor, various organizations and individuals in the Winfield community wanted to raise awareness about becoming registered to donate bone marrow and to raise money to support the organizations who have helped Oscar and his family. 

Funds are being raised to support both the registry and Ronald McDonald House, both of which have greatly helped the Peterson-Veatch family. The fundraiser dinner to culminate the donor drive is Sunday, Sept 30, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Winfield High School commons. The suggested donation is $7 per plate and burgers, sides, drinks and dessert will be served.

All proceeds will benefit Ronald McDonald House and BeThe Match (the national marrow donor registry).  The drive is being sponsored by First United Methodist Church, partnering with Southwestern College, the Winfield Area Chamber of Commerce, and William Newton Hospital to raise awareness and encourage new donors. Please contact Todd DeMint, 229-0224, for more information.

“Approximately 12,000 people need a bone marrow transplant every year to fight and cure many diseases like cancer, leukemia, and aplastic anemia,” DeMint says.  “The drive is to raise awareness and encourage new donors age 18-44 to register at https://join.bethematch.org/BeTheOneWinfield.  If you are not in that age range, you can help by spreading the word, attending the fund raising dinner, and learning more about bone marrow donations.”