‘Another chance at life’

Medical students at Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine recently hosted a bone marrow donor registration drive aimed to register potential donors for patients. 

OUWB’s Medical Student Government (MSG), worked with Corewell Health and the National Bone Marrow Registry (NMDP) to provide this opportunity to OUWB students. 

On Oct 2., attendees gathered in 110 O’Dowd Hall and then moved to the Anatomy Lab in Hannah Hall to continue the drive. 

Two locations were used to provide easy access to students on campus that were between the ages of 18 and 35 years old. 

About 60 potential donors were able to partake in potentially saving the lives of patients suffering from blood cancers such as leukemia. 

Rani Randell, M2, secretary, MSG, said that the event aligns with OUWB’s emphasis on community engagement by helping patients in need. 

“It also allows us to connect with a side of medicine that we don't really get to see during our day-to-day, even though it is equally critical to understand the different ways that we can contribute to patient care,” said Randell. 

Randell shared the involvement and planning process in the organization behind the event. 

“MSG planned and organized the event with a representative from the National Bone Marrow Registry and a Med-Peds Resident at Corewell Health to bring this registration opportunity to our campus,” said Randell.

MSG then reached out to the Oncology Interest Group (OncIG) – another student organization — to supply a few volunteers for them at the event. 

The event consisted of self-administered cheek swabs to add students on the registry for bone marrow donation. 

“Once registered, students may be contacted at any future point if they are a match to donate and are always able to decline,” said Randell. “Ninety percent of the time, a donation is a simple blood draw but 10 percent of the time, donations are made through the iliac bone removal of marrow.” 

Randell expressed the importance for MSG to bring opportunities directly to campus. 

“Med school is naturally very focused on coursework and clinical training, so having opportunities like this gives students a chance to contribute outside of those settings,” said Randell. 

This drive offered a way for students to support individuals in the community and join together for a meaningful cause.

“For this drive, students spent a few minutes learning about the registry and deciding whether they wanted to register. This small action could potentially become very meaningful if they are eventually matched with someone who needs a transplant,” said Randell. 

Jessica Knapp, M2, president of OncIG, hopes students learn the importance of what this donation means for the patient. 

“It's relatively simple for students to do. It's just a swab, but it makes a world of difference to the patient,” said Knapp. “This small gesture that they can do can make a huge impact on patients and give them another chance at life.” 

The significant impact not only inspires others but truly makes a difference in patients’ lives. 

“Seeing the impact that it has on patients is something that is important for us as future clinicians,” said Knapp. 

Emily Lin, M2, swabbed her cheek and she believes that this event is important to attend as future physicians, as there is a lot more work that goes into treating patients behind the scenes. 

“Understanding the processes behind the different treatments we do is important,” said Lin. 

Lin shared that in participating in the event, there is a hope that the outcome involves saving someone’s life. 

“I'm in med school because I want to help people and I want to save lives," said Lin. “So, actually having an impact, actually helping someone, knowing that my donation is going to a good cause is a good thing.”