NMDP Swabbing Event Unites Community to Support Bone Marrow Donation

On July 9-10, the Texas Children’s Cancer & Hematology Center hosted the 2025 NMDP Swabbing Event on the Auxiliary Bridge, bringing together staff, patient families and faculty in a powerful show of support for the National Marrow Donor Program. 

Over these two days, participants joined the bone marrow registry through a simple cheek swab, helping expand donor representation for children battling cancer and blood disorders. The event highlighted the urgent need for diverse donors, as patients from underrepresented backgrounds often face greater challenges in finding compatible matches. 

With free popcorn, t-shirts and a shared sense of purpose, the event celebrated community action and lifesaving potential. Organizers emphasized that joining the registry is quick, easy and can profoundly impact a child’s future. 

Become a bone marrow donor—it's quick, easy and life-changing: https://my.nmdp.org/s/join

Learn how ethnicity affects donor matching and why diverse registries matter: https://www.nmdp.org/get-involved/join-the-registry/ethnicity-and-diversity-matter