Swab to Save event organizers, from left, Dani Bernstein, Pam Bernstein, Margaux Streep, Randi Belfer, Lauren Belfer, Mallory Saks, and Michael Belfer, rear, with the board signed by people who were tested for possible marrow donation.
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January 22, 2009
For all their optimism, even the organizers of the Swab to Save event in Scotch Plains on Jan. 11 were taken aback by the turnout.
Over 200 people came to be tested as possible bone marrow donors during the drive at the Jewish Community Center of Central New Jersey.
They also raised $7,500 that day for the National Marrow Donor Program, bringing the fund-raising total from the event to $15,000.
The event was organized by Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School juniors Lauren Belfer and Dani Bernstein. They did it as a way to show support for their friend, Margaux Streep, who was diagnosed with leukemia last spring. She has responded well to chemotherapy, but for those who don’t, a bone marrow transplant can be a life-saver.
Dani said the event “was so much fun. I had a great time. I really didn’t expect so many people to come.”
Mallory Saks, the JCC’s teen services director who helped Dani and Lauren organize the event, described it as “a huge success.” Given the weather and the fact that many people had been at the JCC just the night before for the solidarity rally for Israel and the evening of Jewish learning, it was even more gratifying that so many turned up for the drive.
In addition to those who were tested at the JCC that day, other people who couldn’t attend arranged to be tested during the week. Their results, like the others, will be assessed by the NMDP, and the names of suitable donors will be added to its lists to await a possible match with a patient needing a transplant.
Margaux’s mother, Susan, said the family wanted to express their thanks to the community. “We were overwhelmed by the response. It was really wonderful,” she said. “There were some people who came from Westchester, did the test, and then drove back. There were people from Long Island, and there were people I’ve never seen before.”
Despite the tough topic, the day was fun even for Margaux. “She is so comfortable at the JCC,” her mother said. “It’s like a second home to her. She’s been going there virtually since the day she was born.”
Lauren’s father, Michael, who came up with the idea of doing the drive, said, “It was a great day over all. I think the kids were really proud of what they achieved.”
He said the girls had decided to use some of the money they raised to cover the cost of a few test kits, each of which costs $52. They will be kept until next year when Dani and Lauren turn 18 and will be old enough to test to be donors themselves.
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