Last year, FSU’s Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter held an NMDP [formally known as Be the Match] event on campus. Newly initiated into the fraternity, freshman Jacob Warner participated by swabbing his cheek, just as many students did that day.
Nearly six months later, Warner was notified that he was a match for a person in need of a bone marrow transplant and took the opportunity to help change the life of a stranger. He spent part of his summer traveling from Maryland to New York as he prepared to donate his bone marrow.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to work with the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) and the chance to change a stranger’s life,” said Warner. “Being able to donate stem cells to help a patient with a life-threatening disease is something I never imagined myself doing, but I am glad I did!”
Sigma Alpha Epsilon awarded Warner the Order of the Phoenix, the highest honor an undergraduate in the fraternity can receive. “I want to congratulate Jacob and thank him for showing one way that being involved in Greek life can make a positive impact,” said Jamie Winters, advisor of Sigma Alpha Epsilon.
Warner continued, “One of Sigma Alpha Epsilon’s core values is service, and I am proud of the work the fraternity is doing with NMDP to help save lives. If given the opportunity to do it again, I would, and I encourage everyone to take the swab test to see if they are a match for someone in need – it is a life-changing experience!”
