Robert and Laura GravesThe idea of what would become Be The Match started in Northern Colorado, with Dr. Bob Graves (father of Morning Fresh owner Rob Graves), who was searching for a marrow match for his daughter Laura.
Laura had a type of blood cancer, and one of her best prospects for survival was receiving a marrow transplant from someone with genes similar to hers. Unfortunately, none of Laura’s siblings were a suitable match, so Dr. Graves had the idea of finding a match from generous members of the medical and blood banking community who gave a blood sample in the hope of matching Laura. Eventually a match was found and Laura received her transplant, surviving for another 18 months.
Dr. Graves proved that a total stranger could provide a patient a marrow transplant, and in 1987 the National Bone Marrow Donor Registry (today called Be The Match) was created with funding by Congress and the Navy.
Today, Be The Match facilitates over transplants 6,000 patients needing what is potentially their lifesaving cure. You could be next donor to save a life, so please consider joining today.
