JNS
So far, the initiative has facilitated 434 life-saving bone-marrow transplants.
For nearly 20 years, Birthright Israel has partnered with the Gift of Life Marrow Registry, encouraging the young Jews who participate in trips to Israel to register and potentially help those with leukemia, lymphoma and other blood-related diseases.
The groups recently hit a milestone: 100,000 who have offered to serve as donors. The 100,000th is 20-year-old Mitch Linefsky of Fairlawn, N.J.
“An incredible one in eight Birthright participants have joined Gift of Life’s registry. That’s 100,000 out of 800,000 Birthright participants,” said Jay Feinberg, founder and CEO of Gift of Life. “Four-hundred-thirty-three donors have saved the lives of patients battling blood cancer. As a transplant recipient myself, thank you to every donor who has joined our registry to make a difference in the world.”
According to transplant centers, donors between 18 and 35—a demographic that also describes those who go on Birthright—tend to produce the best outcomes for patients.
