ELMIRA, N.Y. (WENY) -- A diagnosis in 2020 has now lead to a campaign at Elmira College to sign more people up to become potential bone marrow donors. 

Dr. Patricia Ireland, who is the provost of Elmira College, watched her husband, Alec go through the bone marrow transplant process after he was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndromes, commonly refereed to as MDS. MDS is a type of cancer that causes an abnormality in the cells that form red blood cells, according to the American Cancer Society.

Without a bone marrow transplant, Alec's diagnosis would have killed him. About 25% of those needing a transplant can turn to family members, however most turn to the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), in order to receive life saving treatment. Alec also had to turn to that list.

"We had to go outside [the family] and he was lucky he got... a really perfect match," said Dr. Ireland.

Alec received his bone marrow transplant in 2022, and now he is doing ok.

"I can't say I'm cured, but all my numbers have returned to normal and I feel great," Alec said.

As the Ireland's were going through this process, they realized not many others would have the easy experience that they did. Dr. Ireland says African Americans have a 30% chance of finding a match through the NMDP. 

To help combat that disparity, the Ireland's are spearheading a campaign to sign people up on campus for the NMDP this weekend.

The campaign kicked off Thursday night in Elmira College and over 100 people have already signed up to be a bone marrow donor. The college is hosting numerous sign-ups for interested community members Friday and Saturday. Below are the times and places where there will be a table to sign up and participate.

January 19:

  • 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Campus Center
  • 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., Elmira College Women’s Basketball game, Speidel Gymnasium
  • 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Elmira College Men’s Basketball game, Speidel Gymnasium
  • 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Elmira College Men’s Ice Hockey game, Murray Athletic Center

January 20:

  • 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Elmira College Women’s Basketball game, Speidel Gymnasium
  • 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Elmira College Men’s Basketball game, Speidel Gymnasium
  • 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Elmira College Men’s Ice Hockey game, Murray Athletic Center

Interested people can also sign up online for the bone marrow donor registry by clicking here.