This Saturday, a minority bone marrow registration and blood drive will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Cage in Onesty Hall. Virginia men's basketball player Todd Billet has organized the event in the hopes of raising awareness about donating bone marrow and blood to those in need.
"The program was started by Sunit Jariwala at Rutgers," Billet said. "The program is about spreading awareness and educating the community."
The drive focuses on minority groups because of the lack of registered donors.
Darden Business student Nirav Desai, a minority himself, also has played a role in raising public awareness of the situation affecting minorities. Desai has a close tie to someone who is affected by a disease that requires a bone marrow transfusion.
"If you're a minority, its very difficult to find a bone marrow match," Desai said.
Desai met Billet through a common bone marrow organization and the two have been working together to gather support since in conjunction with Virginia Blood Services and the University Health System.
"I heard Todd was heading up this drive with U.Va. athletics and was interested," Desai said.
This drive is confined not only to the University, but has become a nation-wide event.
"The drive has spread to many other universities across the country," Billet said.
Both Billet and Desai are very enthusiastic about the drive and hope to bring in as many donations as possible.
"Everyone's been great helping out and spreading the word," Billet said.
Anyone between the ages of 18 and 60, and in good health, is welcome to donate. A finger-prick is the only thing required to draw a few drops of blood, which then will be put into a database of potential donors.
Billet and his teammates are expected to make an appearance at the event following their pregame shootaround.
For more information, please contact Todd Billet or Virginia Blood Services.
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