Texas State University junior Alyssa Cooke gave a stranger a second chance at life thanks to her participation in NMDP, formerly known as National Marrow Donor Program. With an NMDP registration drive coming to campus next week, Cooke is encouraging other students to do the same.
Cooke decided to join the NMDP Registry last year when she encountered a student group promoting the NMDP. The nonprofit promotes cell therapy to treat patients with blood cancers and other blood disorders.
A few months after getting her mouth swabbed at the campus registration drive, Cooke was found to be a match for a patient and asked to donate her blood stem cells. Doctors looking for a blood stem cell transplant for a patient can search the NMDP Registry to look for potential donors who have genetic markers that align with those of the patient.
“I felt really accomplished,” Cooke said. “As people we should try and help other people as much as we can. And this was a really important thing to do for another person, you know, to save another life. It’s very powerful thing.”
The NMDP will set up a registry booth March 24–27 at the LBJ Mall and on the Quad. On Monday and Tuesday, there will a free photo booth for students to use. The registration process includes a simple cheek swab.
Cooke’s life-saving contribution illustrates the importance of educating students about the registry. The NMDP established a TXST chapter last year. “We just want students to come by and visit us and learn about NMDP,” registry spokesperson Leticia Mondragon said. NMDP’s goal to sign up 800 students to be a part of the national registry.
“I would definitely encourage people to do their research on NMDP and their mission,” Cooke said. “They’re national, they save lives, and it is really important. I do encourage people to go to the drive next week.”