According to the Health Resources and Services Administration, an average of 18,000 people, ages 0-74, are diagnosed with an illness that requires a bone-marrow transplant. To fill this need, organizations such as the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) have created a registry program to connect willing donors with medical professionals trying to combat diseases that require marrow transfusions.

On the local level, NMDP has teamed up with the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church to host a donor drive and charity dinner to help raise awareness for their cause. Dominique Kiahtipes from the church joined Castle Country Radio to speak on the drive and explain the benefit of registering as a donor.

“The drive is sponsored by the Greek Orthodox Church of Price, Utah. It’s a fundraising event for our community to help support the National Marrow Donor Program and individuals who might be suffering from blood cancers or diseases,” explained Kiahtipes. ” It’s a project that we’ve undertaken that we feel very passionate about.”

Speaking on the importance of the event and the NMDP, Kiahtipes explained,” The importance of that registry is that it connects those in need with donors on a global level. So you might donate here or not donate here, but sign up here and go to Seattle to donate and meet an individual who’s entirely from somewhere else across the globe. So it’s really important to boost that registry and get high numbers so that there’s a wide selection of donors to choose from.”

To help aid in this cause, the church is hosting a bone marrow drive on Saturday, Feb. 22, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. “We’ll be serving lasagna, chicken and pilaf. There’ll also be a silent auction going on. And the funds from that will go toward serving community members within our congregation and within Carbon County as a whole.” Kiahtipes sweetened the deal by adding,” Sam Farlaino is the one that’s cooking, so you know it’ll be delicious.”

The NMDP will be present at the event, allowing attendees to join the donation registry,” It just involves a couple of cheek swabs and an account with NMDP that you can just hurry and sign up for right then and there. And then, if you’re ever picked to donate, it’s a very simple process.”

She also explained the process of bone marrow donation, which occurs in two primary forms,” the first one is similar to donating plasma. It’s the blood stem cell. You just go in for a blood draw and sit there for a little bit. The second one is a little more invasive where it’s an actual bone marrow transplant. You do go under general anesthesia, but you’re up and in recovery very quickly.”

Kiahtipes also discussed what spurred the church to become involved with the NMDP: ” it is a very near and dear project to our congregation right now. It’s an issue that other members in the community are facing as well. And it’s just something we just wanted to try to do our small part, right, to benefit our community. We have such a great turnout from the community during the Greek festival, and we just hope that we can give back through this event.”

In closing, Kiahtipes shared,” Just come out and enjoy a delicious dinner from the Greek Orthodox Church prepared by Sam, and it’ll be great, delicious food.”

The Assumption Greek Orthodox Church’s National Marrow Donor Program Benefit will be held on Saturday, Feb. 22, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Price Greek Orthodox Church. Entry costs $20. For more information, visit the church’s Facebook page.

*Photo Courtesy of the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church