Erik and Carolyn, donor and recipient, at a hockey arena
Erik saved Carolyn’s life

How Play Your Part works

Gift of Life’s Play Your Part initiative is a fully supported program that partners with schools and coaches to recruit student-athletes to the donor registry and help save the lives of patients diagnosed with 75+ different blood cancers and inherited autoimmune conditions. Through your involvement, your players can give patients a second chance at life.

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Two cross country runners racing

Building a lasting partnership

Play Your Part helps you host simple and easy registration drives that allow student-athletes to potentially become lifesaving donors. The Gift of Life team manages the process and provides coaching, educational materials, and all the deliverables to host a swab drive. All you have to do is tell us when and where!

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How to participate in Play Your Part

Step 1: Register your Organization

Fill out the registration form using a school email and department or team information including mailing address. This will help us coordinate deliverables and send educational materials.

Step 2: Pick a Day

Let our team know when you would like to host your swab drive. Recruitment specialists will provide training and educational documents and swab kits will be sent to the address on file in time for your drive!

Step 3: Swab

Pass out the swab kits to any team members who agree to become potential donors. Ensure they fill out the donor card and complete all swabs included. Swabbing takes only a few minutes to complete.

Step 4: Return

Once all swabs are completed and sealed in the swab kit, place them kits in the postage paid envelopes and return them as soon as possible. Once we receive them back, the swabs are analyzed and Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) are identified. It is these HLAs that we use to match potential donors with patients in need.

That’s it, just four easy steps to become a lifesaver!

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A donor kneeling next to a young recipient at Geodis Park

Trusted by athletic programs nationwide

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Learn more about our impact

Your involvement makes the difference

We work with athletic departments, teams, and players to create a seamless donor experience at all levels of involvement.

Host registry drives

Coordinate on-campus donor recruitment events with our team. All you have to do is plan the day! Gift of Life’s trained Donor Services and Logistics teams handle the training and shipping.

Make a visible impact

Schools, teams, and individual players reaffirm their connection to their local community and receive tangible feedback on their commitment to saving lives.

Build team bonds

By participating in Play Your Part, your players build connections with their teammates, creating unity and focus around a single lifesaving cause.

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Questions

We know this is a lot of information all at once, but we’re here to support you every step of the way. Here you’ll find answers to most frequently asked questions about participation, your involvement, and hosting drives. Don’t see your question? Feel free to ask us below!

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Your department’s primary role is providing access and communication support. Our team manages event logistics, educational materials, and registration coordination.

All registry processes are medically supervised and follow established safety protocols. Educational materials clearly outline the process and voluntary nature of participation.

No, educational materials, event handouts, and swab kits are provided by Gift of Life and sent to you in time for your drive. Sending the materials and completed swabs is just as simple as we also handle the costs of return shipping.

Not at all. Being on the registry requires nothing from you until you're matched. If that happens, the donation process won't impact your ability to train or compete.

Your information enters our registry and stays there. You'll only hear from us if you're a potential match for a patient. Until then, you're simply part of a network of people who could save a life.

Quick to join. Impact that lasts.

Joining the registry takes just a few minutes. You provide basic information and complete a cheek swab. That’s it!

You could be the reason someone gets a second chance at life!

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49ers coach gives San Francisco man a second chance at life

San Francisco 49ers fan Tony Hartman was diagnosed with blood cancer in June 2021 following a doctor’s visit after having recurring nosebleeds. Despite the scary diagnosis, fortunately, there was already a match in the Gift of Life registry. Daniel “Deuce” Schwartz, the Offensive Quality Control Coach of Tony’s beloved 49ers, joined the registry when he was just 19 and was eager to donate when identified as Tony’s match. The pair met for the first time at the home of the 49ers, Levi Stadium, as part of the NFL’s “My Cause My Cleats” awareness initiative.

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Deuce Schwartz and Tony Hartman at Levi Stadium
Gift of Life Marrow Registry headquarters in Boca Raton, Florida

About Gift of Life Marrow Registry

Gift of Life’s mission is to cure blood cancer through cellular therapy.

At Gift of Life, we believe that every person battling blood cancer deserves a second chance at life – and we are determined to make it happen. We are singularly passionate about engaging the public to help us get everyone involved in curing blood cancer, whether as a donor, a volunteer, or a financial supporter. It all begins with one remarkable person, one life-changing swab and one huge win – finding a match and a cure.

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