By: Western Connecticut State University Athletics

DANBURY, Conn. – The Western Connecticut State University Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) partnered with WestConn's Health Services and the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) for their annual "Get in the Game" bone marrow registry. This event not only raised awareness to the cause but encouraged participants to join and potentially save lives.

On August 21, the NMDP hosted volunteer training sessions that many of the WestConn fall student-athletes attended. This was in anticipation for the "Get in the Game" bone marrow registry drive that occurred on the afternoon of September 18 in front of Berkshire Hall at the Midtown Campus.
 
"Being an athlete involves so much more than just playing your sport," volleyball junior Julia Stoliker said. "Participating in this event gave us the opportunity to step outside of competition and show the importance of service, teamwork, and leadership in a different way. By supporting a cause that has the potential to save lives, we were able to connect with our school and community on a different level. This experience not only helped spread awareness but also taught us the value of using our influence for something bigger than ourselves."
About 70 percent of patients are in need of a bone marrow or blood stem cell transplant from a matched donor unrelated to them. There continues to be a shortage of bone marrow donors, but this event added an outstanding 89 new members to the Bone Marrow Registry, making a significant step in the journey to saving lives.
 

"Being a student athlete teaches you more than just being on the team and playing a sport, it teaches brotherhood, love for others, and respect," football senior Robert Garcia said. "For the past two years, I have participated in this event by joining the registry, spreading knowledge, and encouraging others to join. This has opened my eyes and showed me that I'm very blessed to be a part of two programs here at WestConn that I am very grateful for. It has also showed me that I can be a leader on and off the field. I'm very glad to have experienced being a part of the bone marrow drive."