November 12, 2016 | 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Sanford Pentagon
2210 W. Pentagon Pl., Sioux Falls, SD United States

Additional Information

Community members will swab their cheeks as part of a bone marrow donor drive organized by DKMS and Allie Thiesses, a young woman and junior at the University of Sioux Falls. After a close family friend was diagnosed with leukemia, Thiesses saw the family’s long wait to find a lifesaving match for the 8-year-old boy. Thiesses became inspired to join the nonprofit’s fight against blood cancer and grow the registry to give more patients a second chance at life.

Thiesses has partnered with DKMS to host a bone marrow donor drive at the Sanford Pentagon to raise awareness and recruit more donors who could potentially save the life of a patient in need of a transplant. She hopes to reach a larger and more diverse population in Sioux Falls outside of just the college community.

Swabbing your cheek is all it takes to register as a potential donor. According to DKMS, 70% of people suffering from blood-related illnesses must rely on donors outside their families to save their lives.

DKMS is an international nonprofit organization leading the fight against blood cancer and other blood-related illnesses by inspiring as many people as possible to register as bone marrow donors – thereby providing patients with second chances at life.

To register as a bone marrow donor, please visit dkms.org.