Hundreds join marrow registry
By ERIN PIROUTEK
Associate News Editor
Generally, when Notre Dame students spend hours waiting in line, football tickets are involved. But yesterday, the La Fortune Ballroom overflowed with students waiting to join the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) registry. Responding to the request of Zahm sophomore Conor Murphy, who was recently diagnosed with leukemia, 610 people joined the registry, exceeding even the highest expectations for the event.
Bone marrow transplants can be lifesaving to patients with leukemia and other blood diseases. Exact matches are rare; Murphy was lucky to find a match though the NMDP. Organizers hope registering more people will help those like Murphy receive much-needed treatment.
"We are stunned by just the incredible outpouring of support for Conor," said Zahm rector Father Jim Lies. "We had more people in the room the first hour than we expected all day."
The unexpected numbers required organizers to scurry for more volunteers and equipment.
"It's a good problem," said volunteer Kate Voelker of the Junior League of South Bend.
Combined efforts of the Notre Dame and South Bend community made the drive possible. Student volunteers joined community organizations including Ancilla Health Care, the Red Cross and the South Bend Medical Foundation.
At one point the line of potential donors stretched from the second floor of La Fortune, down the stairs and back to the Huddle. Many students waited for over two hours.
"I wish Conor could see it," said sophomore Annie Sutera.
Volunteers worked quickly to direct students through the maze of lines and ensure the necessary paperwork was complete. Some students chatted, some attempted to study, and a few just waited patiently. Then Lies asked everyone pray for Murphy. The bustle was replaced with silence while everyone joined hands and listened to Lies' simple, sincere prayer.
"I think it's going to be one of those things I look back on after my four years at Notre Dame and remember as one of the great examples of one of the Notre Dame community supporting one of their own," said Murphy's roommate, Steve Napleton.
Donations continued past 3 p.m., the scheduled end of the drive. Even so, many potential donors were turned away because of lack of time.
"If it had been physically possible we could have probably processed 1,000 people," said Lies.
The crowd included Murphy's closest friends, casual acquaintances and people who had never met him.
"I figured that if I needed the bone marrow transplant I'd want everyone to donate for me," said sophomore Adam Kronk, who has never met Murphy. "It was the least I could do."
The phenomenal success of the drive has created a new challenge. Each donation costs $96 to process. Zahm Hall and various campus organizations including Campus Ministry, Student Activities, the London program, and Hall Presidents' Council have already raised thousands of dollars.
But with three to four times the anticipated turnout, significant additional funds are needed. Lies estimated that and additional $25,000 is needed to cover expenses.
"We'll have to continue to raise money to support this drive," said Lies. "Any help from the University community to further support Conor in this way will be greatly appreciated."
Although there are no plans for another drive on campus, the Junior League of South Bend is sponsoring a bone marrow registration drive today from noon to 7 p.m. at the Memorial Leighton Healthplex, located at the corner of Michigan and Jefferson in downtown South Bend.
All News Stories for Thursday, March 30, 2000
