In discussing the Marrowthon, one particular fact transcends the rest: The odds of being a perfect match for a non-relative is one in 20,000. Those odds force us to consider for a moment those who suffer the horrible pain of bone cancer but do not have family members to donate. Hopefully, imagining the impossibility of that situation would inspire compassion in anyone, but especially for college students, most of whom are at the peak of their health.

Though the process of marrow extraction continues to be a painful one, the surgery has become less invasive in the past few years. Considering that any individual on the registry remains there until he or she reaches age 60, advances in medicine could completely revolutionize the process. Regardless of the pain, however, the product of the surgery is a gift of life for another human being, against the greatest odds.

After so many people returning from ASB with such inspirational results, the Marrowthon should serve as another great opportunity — one that requires much less travel. The short trip to Branscomb, and the accompanying cheek swab, cannot really be much of an imposition for anybody, especially since the Marrowthon lasts two days.

While the choice of either paying $52 or the donation of a pint of blood for the tissue typing feels somewhat like a bribe to give blood, blood donation is another life-giving enterprise. The spirit of the Marrowthon is to replenish and save lives, and blood donation, just like marrow donation, is a means to do so.

It may be that not one person who goes to Branscomb today or tomorrow is ever a match, or called on to donate marrow, but on the off chance that someone is needed, the potential to save a life is there.