What are you doing with your extra day this Leap Year?

An extra day is something people always wish they had but only get once every four years. So, shouldn’t it be used for something important?

If you’re between the ages of 18 and 44, you could do something as important as being part of saving someone’s life by being part of a “Be A Match” bone marrow drive. The process takes less than an hour and involves a health screening and cheek swab.

The drive will be held at Woolwich-Wiscasset Baptist Church (WWBC), 15 Fellowship Drive, Woolwich (off Route 1), on Feb. 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. More information can be found at wwbcchurch.org, by calling 443-2532, or by emailing office@wwbcchurch.org

This bone marrow drive is inspired by Greg Hodgdon. You may recognize his name or face from WWBC where he is a pastor, from vacation Bible schools at the church, sitting near him at his son’s sports games, his daughters’ ballet performances, a previous local church he pastored, or another community event. He is a 47-year-old husband of 26 years to his wife Jen and dad to three kids (Emily, Maddie, and Asa) who enjoys an active lifestyle.

In September 2019, Greg was diagnosed with a rare bone marrow disease which affects his body’s production of blood. Since his diagnosis, the long-term plan has been a bone marrow transplant which includes a month stay at Dana Farber and weekly visits after. Thankfully, he has been matched with a donor, and the transplant will happen soon. He was told that because of his heritage, it would be easy to find a donor for him. Yet out of the worldwide donor registry there was only one perfect match. While the drive was prompted because of Greg’s journey, it is to say a big thank you to his donor.

So come out on Saturday, Feb. 29 to the drive. It is a simple thing that could save someone’s life. Can’t make the drive but want to register? Visit BeTheMatch.org to register. Greg and his family would love to promote registering for the bone marrow registry, donating blood, and donating platelets to give back to these organizations that have given so much to them recently.