Mission Marrow

Hi, we’re Mission Marrow, a high school organization at Heritage High School in Frisco, Texas. Mission Marrow is an organization focused to raise awareness for the currently non-diverse donor pool within the stem cell registry. We’re working on diffusing stigmas against the bone marrow donation process through defining the meaning behind it and the impact of such donations, while also offering clarification on the sciences and procedures behind it.


In addition to this, we’re raising awareness and support for a fellow student of Heritage High School. His name is Darryl Dugenio and he is a 2019 graduate who is in need of a stem cell donation. He is currently in a battle for his life as he suffers from a rare disease called aplastic anemia, a condition in which the blood is unable to produce new blood cells. As of now, he receives weekly blood transfusions. This is because he has not been able to find a match, partly because of the lack of diversity in the registry. Darryl and his family are Filipino-American, and because of the lack of Filipinos in the registry, he has a significantly lower chance of finding a match. 


We were fortunate enough to get in contact with a bigger organization called, Be The Match, and they have been willing to help us on this journey to bring awareness to Darryl’s cause. As we mentioned before, the registry is lacking in a diverse donor pool for stem cell and bone marrow donations. Some of this is due to the myths that exist around the bone marrow donation process. However, with new technology and innovations, donating bone marrow is a much simpler process than before and is now as easy as donating blood. 


Especially during this COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of patients (like Darryl) battling blood cancers including leukemia and lymphoma, and blood diseases such as sickle cell and aplastic anemia are searching for a perfectly matched blood stem cell donor, who can save their lives. With the help of Be The Match, my team and I are seeking to diversify the registry and aid so many like Darryl in the search for their match. 


But that’s where you all come into the picture!  By donating to our cause, you would be helping to fund our various initiatives here in Texas, and even all across the nation. Your donation would give hope to the thousands of people in need of a stem cell donation, like sickle cell and blood cancer patients, and better their chances of finding their life-saving donation. Together, it’s up to us, to up the odds. Thank you so much!