Daun Kendig Memorial Bone Marrow Donor Drive

The Annual Daun Kendig Memorial Bone Marrow Donor Drive was held Wednesday, April 9, 2008, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Atwood Memorial Center Ballroom.  For more information about the drive at St. Cloud State Unviersity you can contact Diana Rehling at (320) 308-1693.

You can also visit the National Marrow Donor Program website for more information on becoming a bone marrow donor.  The Bone Marrow Donor Drive received an American Red Cross Award (SCSU Press Release).

St. Cloud State University has been selected the winner of the 2007 National Marrow Donor Collegeiate Award because of the Communication Studies Department's work with this drive.

About the Drive

Daun Kendig was a Professor in the Communication Studies Department, and a friend to many. She was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and was very fortunate to receive a bone marrow transplant which extended her life one more year. Daun was very passionate about the National Marrow Donor Program and believed in its cause. She is missed and we dedicate this Registration Drive in her honor.

Over 30,000 people a year are diagnosed with life threatening illness that can be cured with a marrow or blood stem cell transplant. Joining the registry is an essential first step in becoming a bone marrow donor. 70 percent will need a donation from an unrelated donor. The department, along with help from dedicated students and the Comm Club continue the Daun Kendig Bone Marrow Registration Drive each year. Throughout the past eight years 1,164 volunteers have been added to the national registry through this drive. At least 7 people enrolled through the Communication Studies drive have actually served as donors.

The 2008 drive brought in 151 possible donors to the registry. There is no cost to volunteers as the Granite Rotary funds a large portion of the drive. Volunteers must be between the ages of 18-60 and in general good health. We ask that you allow 15-30 minutes to complete a health questionnaire and give a mouth swab. Be sure to bring your driver’s license and the addresses and telephone numbers of your employer and two close relatives or friends whom we can contact in the event that we are unable to contact you, and you may say “no” at any time if you are asked to become a donor.