UCSD's Kappa Psi & San Diego Blood Bank Hold Battle of the Bands to Highlight Need for Students to Join Be the Match Registry

UCSD’S Kappa Psi Chapter and the San Diego Blood Bank’s Stem Cell Donor Center have arranged a “Battle of the Bands” at UCSD’s Price Center Bowl and Library Walk, Tuesday, April 13 through Thursday, April 15 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day.  The event will highlight the need for more potential bone marrow donors to join the Be The Match registry of the National Marrow Donor Program.

The contest will feature 14 local bands, each sponsored by a different social organization. In addition patients and students affected by blood disorders and other diseases that benefit from transplants will tell their stories.  Free testing to join the registry will also be available at the event for individuals between the ages of 18 and 60 year of age who are willing to donate to any patient in need, and meet the health guidelines.

Students will be encouraged to vote for their favorite band during the three day battle. The winning band will be given the opportunity to open at the Belly Up Tavern and the social organization that sponsored that band will have dinner provided for their next organizational meeting.

“The idea for this unique event grew out of need for a matching bone marrow donor for one of UCSD’s professors after he  was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), “ said Melinda Colwell, of the Stem Cell Donor Center. “The students of Kappa Psi are determined to increase awareness on the UCSD campus about the importance of joining Be The Match (www.bethematch.org) so more people will make the choice to join.”