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Over 40% of HPU School of Nursing students lined up to become at donor at the 'Be the Match' drive in December 2023.
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Joy Bliss with HPU students Kayla Sistrunk and Kyler Yee obtaining a swab at the 'Be the Match' donor event.
Embracing the spirit of giving in December is a reminder of the importance of generosity, compassion, and empathy. It encourages individuals to look beyond their own needs and reach out to others in the spirit of love and goodwill, making the holiday season a time of warmth and joy, with a positive impact on communities and individuals in need.
Pediatric classes taught by HPU Assistant Professor Joy Bliss, Ph.D., RN, in the HPU School of Nursing held an end of semester “Be the Match" bone marrow drive where over 40% of the students from the classes became registered bone marrow donors.
Pictured left to right: Lacy Razor, Jennifer Bandy (SNA 'Be the Match' Ambassador), Joy Bliss, Robyn Teruya and Juliet Llarenas were awarded the 'Community Cord' from Be the Match.' The 'Community Cord Award’ recognizes the dedication of 20-plus volunteer hours to the 'Be the Match' national marrow donor program by matching patients with donors and advancing healthcare research. The award demonstrates commitment to community service, compassion, and supporting life-saving initiatives.
“Be the Match” is a nonprofit organization in the United States that operates the largest and most diverse bone marrow registry in the world. The primary mission of “Be the Match” is to help patients with life-threatening blood cancers and other diseases find a matching donor for a bone marrow or stem cell transplant.
HPU students act of volunteerism was just one way to give back to the community and make a positive impact on the lives of others. The spirit of giving involves spreading joy and kindness by becoming a donor through acts of kindness beyond material gifts. HPU students exemplified community and unity with the spirit of giving this December by fostering a sense of community and unity as students come together to support those in need. It strengthens social bonds and creates a shared purpose.
The “Be the Match” event highlighted HPU’s values of aloha, kuleana and pono.
To learn more about the HPU School of Nursing, click here.
