Ten days before graduation, Jack Doney ’24 received a letter from the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) notifying him that he was a preliminary match for a potential blood stem cell recipient — a 59-year-old male with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
“I think the first reaction was more shock and surprise more than anything, only because I never thought I’d get picked. Then, sitting on the phone with my donation coordinator, I think my mindset switched to feeling the opportunity to really help someone,” reflects Doney, who majored in business with a minor in energy and society.
Doney initially attended a donor recruitment drive hosted by the Health and Wellness Club, to support the co-founders of the club, who are also his friends, Tannaz Latifi ’25 and Malia Guillory ’25. Students, faculty, and staff participated in the drive by swabbing their cheek, which added them to the NMDP’s registry of 22+ million individuals, the world’s largest blood stem cell registry. Several of Doney’s baseball teammates joined as well.
Doney says the match came in the middle of the baseball season and he initially worried it would impact his senior year, but his coach and teammates remained supportive.
“So many people went out of their way to accommodate me and make the process as smooth as possible to get the recipient the help he needs,” says Doney. “My biggest takeaway was having the privilege to not only help someone in need but also meet the amazing people who dedicate their time and their careers to this cause.”
Committed to make a difference, Doney traveled to a collection center in his hometown of Tampa, Florida, where he underwent blood tests and physical examinations to confirm the match before undergoing apheresis.
To prepare for apheresis, Doney received an injection of a medication to encourage the development of extra stem cells and to move them into the bloodstream. Blood stem cells were then collected from Doney by circulating blood through a needle in his arm, passing through a machine, and gathering stem cells. Doney’s procedure lasted 11 hours over two days.
People should consider donating because it is a way that all of us could make a real difference in someone’s life. Every day there are people in need, whether it’s blood, stem cells, or organs, and you have the opportunity to help them,” remarks Doney. “I think when you take the time to see it from their perspective the choice is clear.
As a post-graduate, Doney works at The Baldwin Group, an insurance brokerage company based in Florida, analyzing risk and consulting on insurance plans.
He has yet to meet the recipient of his blood stem cells, who remains anonymous until after one year but expresses interest in communicating or meeting the recipient.
“Everyone has the opportunity to be of service to others in our community, and maybe this route isn’t for everyone, but I encourage you to find where you can help someone who needs it,” encourages Doney.
