‘Mustang’ soldiers volunteer to donate bone marrow

Courtesy Photo | Amy Williams, wife of 1st Sgt. Christopher Williams with Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 6th Squadron 8th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, helps manage donor packets during the unit’s first bone marrow drive Feb. 19, 2013, at Fort Stewart, Ga. (U.S. Army photo by 1st Sgt. Christopher Williams/Released)  

FORT STEWART, GA, UNITED STATES

02.19.2013

Story by Capt. Kevin Arber 

4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

FORT STEWART, Ga. – The 6th Squadron 8th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Third Infantry Division held its first bone marrow drive Feb. 19 on Fort Stewart, Ga. Spc. Robert Evans, a signal support systems specialist, and Pvt. Jonathan Steinmetz, a forward observer, both soldiers in the Headquarters and Headquarters Troop training room organized the drive.
Day one saw over 180 ‘Mustangs’ volunteer. The drive is estimated to pull in more than 300 potential donors.

A bone marrow donor drive involves taking DNA samples from potential donors, all of whom are volunteers, and submitting them to the National Marrow Donor Program. Once on file, potential donors are notified if they are identified as a potential match for a patient. Donors are given the opportunity to potentially save the life of a friend, family member or even a complete stranger.

1st Sgt. Christopher Williams, the HHT first sergeant, was given that chance last year. After finding out he saved the life of a 33-year-old woman half way around the world in Greece, 1SG Williams became a spokesman for the bone marrow donor program.

“Volunteering to become a potential marrow donor follows the army’s value of Selfless Service, as these Soldiers who sign up do not get recognized for their efforts. I’m proud of all of the Soldiers and family members who chose to step up to the plate. Even if only 1 out of 150 donors is a match, it’s worth it”, said Williams.
The collection process is simple and painless, consisting of a brief questionnaire and consent form, followed by four DNA swabs taken with a cotton swab rubbed on the inside of the donor’s cheek. The drive also served as education for soldiers and their family members who didn’t know a lot about the program.

Soldiers had different reasons for becoming potential donors, some more personal than others. “My 12 year old cousin died from leukemia, so I donated to help save a life so another family doesn’t have to go through the same experience”, said Evans.

Pfc. Robert Lindsay, a forward observer with HHT, said “I’d like to think someone would do the same for me if I was diagnosed with leukemia”.

All of the donors from 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment are about to deploy to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom but were able to take time out of their busy schedules to submit their samples. For more information on how you can become a donor, visit www.marrow.org.

• Date Taken: 02.19.2013
• Date Posted: 02.21.2013 11:46
• Story ID: 102325
• Location: FORT STEWART, GA, US