UCLA vs. USC

Bone Marrow Challenge

November 5 6 & 7, 2008

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(Coach Pete Carroll and Coach Rick Neuheisel--response below)

You have the power to save a life by registering your marrow with the National Marrow Donor Progam.

Why join?

Every year, more than 10,000 men, women, and children get life-threatening diseases that can only be cured with a bone marrow transplant from an unrelated donor. Each day more than 6,000 men, women, and children search the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) Registry for a donor match.

Marrow: Is all about Race. Your diversity is important.

Blood type has nothing to do with finding a bone marrow match; ancestry does. Since tissue types are inherited, race, ethnicity, and ancestry have everything to do with with finding the right match. Those with mixed-ethnic background have an especially hard time finding a donor, because the more complicated your ethnicity; the more complicated finding a match becomes.

Why UCLA and USC?

These schools offer a variety of much-needed ethnically diverse donors. Tradition of their longstanding rivalry and the love and support of these two Los Angeles schools will undoubtedly bring attention and awareness to a worthy, life-saving cause.

Joining the NMDP is easy.

You simply fill out a registration form and swab the inside of your cheek. No blood is taken. No fingers are poked.

Thanks Coach Carroll!

From the office of USC Head Football Coach Pete Carroll dated October 22, 2008

“Everyone knows at least one person affected by cancer. Be it family or friends, it affects us all.

“Blood cancers are especially tough to battle. We all wish there was a way to help. Well, the USC-UCLA Bone Marrow Challenge is an excellent opportunity for all Trojans to do just that.

“Participating is simple. In just a few minutes on campus, you can join the National Marrow Donor Program. Just fill out a form and have the inside of your cheek swabbed. That’s all it takes to register.

“I encourage USC’s diverse campus -- students, faculty and staff -- to strongly consider participating in the “Challenge”. How many opportunities do you get to possibly save a life? This is one.”

Thanks Coach Neuheisel!

From the office of UCLA Head Football Coach Rick Neuheisel, dated October 22, 2008

“We all have the opportunity to make a difference and possibly save a life,” said UCLA head football coach Rick Neuheisel. “Every year, more than 10,000 men, women, and children get life-threatening diseases that can only be cured with a bone marrow transplant from an unrelated donor.

“In one way or another, we have all been touched by these diseases. Someone you know at work or a family member of a friend may be affected, whether we know it or not.

“By joining the National Marrow Donor Program you could well save a life. The few minutes you spend filling out a form and having the inside of your cheek swabbed could be the difference between life and death for someone who could make a difference in our world.

“I encourage the diverse student and staff population here at UCLA to participate in the ‘UCLA vs. USC Bone Marrow Challenge’ and help make a difference in someone’s future.”