On September 11, 2010, there were several memorial services throughout the city to recognize family and friends lost in this tragic attack. On the same day, I also attended another important event that occurred at the Harlem School of the Arts. The location was a perfect venue for promoting the school’s attributes, education in general, and the significance of participating in volunteer programs such as The Icla da Silva Foundation.
The foundation is committed to maintaining a bone marrow donor registry. Their goal of building an ethnically diverse archive can only be accomplished through the generosity of people willing to participate in this program. Involvement not only encompasses donor recruitment but also, community outreach, education, fundraising, and medical support. Through the Be The Match Program, registration is quick, easy, and yields the satisfaction that you might save someone’s life.
After filing out the necessary, but simple paperwork and reviewing the requirements of the program, I provided a cheek swab that took less than a minute to produce. That was it! I can’t think of a more positive way to offset some of life’s tragedies than through the act of giving. For information on future drives in the NYC area, see Find a Donor Drive.
The Icla da Silva Foundation
1-888-638-2870
National Marrow Donor Program.
1-800-627-7692
