Jacob Egnor joined the NMDP Registry at SAE’s Ritual Academy in November 2021 — the first event attended by Matt Kroeger from NMDP following the launch of our partnership earlier that year at the July 2021 Convention. Nearly four years later, Jacob will become the first donor among the roughly 30 brothers who swabbed at that event.
When did you join the chapter, and when will you graduate?
“I joined Sigma Alpha Epsilon in the fall of 2021, and I’m currently set to graduate in the fall of 2026.”
What first inspired you to get involved with NMDP?
“Honestly, I hadn’t heard of NMDP until I came across their table at a national event. I learned how simple it was to join the registry and realized how meaningful it could be to someone in need. Signing up took just a few minutes, but the potential impact of giving someone a second chance at life made it an easy decision.”
What went through your mind when you first got the call that you were a match, and what motivated you to donate?
“The moment I got the call, I dropped everything. I was beyond excited and humbled by the opportunity to give someone hope. The idea that I might be the one person who could help this patient kept me motivated throughout the process. It wasn’t even a question; I just knew I had to do it.”
How has being a member of SAE and living by the values of the True Gentleman shaped your decision to donate?
“The values of the True Gentleman are something I strive to live by every day. To me, donating was simply an extension of those principles. A True Gentleman is someone whose deeds follow his words and who thinks of the rights and feelings of others rather than his own. If I can help lift someone in their most difficult moment, I’d go through the donation process a million times over.”
In what ways has this experience deepened your perspective on service, leadership, or brotherhood?
“This experience reminded me that service isn’t just about grand gestures, it’s about saying “yes” when someone needs you most. It strengthened my belief that leadership comes from compassion and that brotherhood extends far beyond our chapter walls. We all have the power to change someone’s story, even if it’s someone we’ll never meet.”
What message would you share with other brothers about joining the NMDP registry and potentially saving a life?
“No matter how you feel about needles or how much you know about the process, I encourage every brother to sign up. You don’t have to make any decisions right away; just join the registry. Because one day, you might get a call telling you that you’re a match, and that you have the chance to give someone another shot at life. That’s an opportunity worth saying yes to.”
