Butler University is teaming up with the Indiana Blood Center and Be the Match Indiana to host a blood drive and bone marrow registry drive on Tuesday.
The event is from 4-8 p.m. at Hinkle Fieldhouse and is in honor of former Butler center Andrew Smith, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2014. He beat the disease later that year, but the cancer returned over the summer. Smith will have to undergo a bone marrow transplant on Oct. 19.
"Samantha (Smith’s wife) and I want to use the platform we have been given, and the information we have learned going through the process ourselves, to inform people how important this really is," Smith said.
Smith found a bone marrow donor through Be the Match Indiana, a registry that helps find 40-50 matches a year between patients and donors.
“All of us at Butler continue to look for ways to support Andrew and Samantha as they battle this,” Butler men’s basketball coach Chris Holtmann said. “Donating blood and registering for the bone marrow database are two great ways to showcase that support. I’ve registered in the bone marrow database and the process is incredibly easy. We’re excited to be part of this event and help to increase the impact that Andrew and Samantha can have on this cause.”
For somebody to join the bone marrow registry, they must be between ages 18-44, willing to donate and meet health guidelines.
Smith played for Butler from 2009-2013, playing in 134 games. He finished his college career 25th on Butler’s all-time scoring list.
For more information on the drive, click here.
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