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Southern Illinois University Edwardsville senior Greg Pavelka made a potentially life saving bone marrow donation on Tuesday, Nov. 17 for a person battling leukemia. The donation was coordinated through the Be The Match organization. When he was notified that his bone marrow was a perfect match for someone in dire need, Pavelka did not hesitate to help.

“I was shocked to hear the news, and excited to help,” Pavelka said. “There is no downside in my mind. A few days out of my life will hopefully give this person years to live.”

Pavelka is no stranger to giving of himself. Prior to attending SIUE, he spent five years in the Marines. He registered for Be The Match two years ago after learning about the organization through SIUE’s health education honorary society, Eta Sigma Gamma.

“It was a very simple process,” he explained. “I would encourage anyone to register. It takes minutes, and you have the potential to save a life. It’s an incredible opportunity to help someone in need.”

According to Be The Match, every three minutes, a baby, child or adult is diagnosed with a blood cancer like leukemia. The organization works to help more than 14,000 patients in need of transplant.

If a perfect match is made, there are two ways a bone marrow donation is harvested. Most commonly, donations are made through a non-surgical procedure called peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) donation. The other marrow donation, which Pavelka experienced, is typically outpatient and the donor gets general or local anesthesia. Side effects generally involve soreness for a week or two afterward.

“We are extremely proud of Greg for registering and donating,” said Bailee Ronto, president of SIUE’s Be The Match On Campus organization. “People are often afraid to join the registry for fear of the procedures, however it’s important to note that the risks are minimal.

 “Thousands of people desperately need to find a stem cell donor to save their life and it is difficult to find a perfect match. The need is great and the registration process is simple. It’s incredible that Greg and countless others are able to give of themselves to help save the life of a complete stranger.”

For more information on Be the Match, including health guidelines, visit bethematch.org.

Photo: Greg Pavelka