Good Morning America Anchor Being Recognized for Contributions to Be The Match®
ATLANTA (March 4, 2014) -- On Friday, March 21, when the Atlanta Hawks host the New Orleans Pelicans, Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts will receive the Be Greater award presented by SunTrust, recognizing individuals who are making a difference in their communities.
“Robin Roberts embodies every aspect of what it means to be a champion, and the Atlanta Hawks are honored to celebrate her courage, spirit and philanthropy,” stated Bob Williams, President, Atlanta Hawks and Philips Arena. “She reminds each of us through her actions, to strive to be greater in everything that we do.”
In June 2012, Roberts announced that she was battling myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and needed a bone marrow transplant to survive. Since then, she has become an official Ambassador of Hope for Be The Match, appearing in public service announcements and working to raise awareness about the need for more people to volunteer to register to become potential bone marrow donors. For patients diagnosed with blood cancers, like leukemia or lymphoma, and other life-threatening diseases, a bone marrow or cord blood transplant may be their best or only hope for a cure. Yet 70 percent of patients who need a transplant do not have a matching donor in their family. They depend on Be The Match, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on saving lives through marrow and cord blood transplantation, to find a match to save their life.
As part of the evening’s celebration, the first 5,000 fans in attendance will receive “Prayer for Protection” wristbands with nearly half of the purchase price going directly back to Be The Match. Roberts’ friends designed the wristbands that bear her initials “RRR” and the words Light, Love, Power, Presence, which represents the Prayer for Protection her mother taught her. At halftime, Basketball Hall of Famer and Atlanta Hawks alumni Dominique Wilkins will take a three-point shot for a chance to have $10,000 donated to Be The Match. Roberts has personally committed to donating an additional $10,000 if Wilkins makes the shot.
Be The Match will be on-site during the game signing individuals up for the Be The Match Registry®. To join the Be The Match Registry at the drive, donors must be between the ages of 18 and 44, meet health guidelines, and be willing to donate to any patient in need. Donors must also complete a health history form and be willing to give a swab of cheek cells.
Tickets to the March 21 game are still available and by purchasing at www.hawks.com/bethematch and using code ROBIN, $2 will be donated directly to Be The Match efforts in Georgia.
About Be the Match®
For people with life-threatening blood cancers—like leukemia and lymphoma—or other diseases, a cure exists. Be The Match connects patients with their donor match for a life-saving marrow or umbilical cord blood transplant. People can contribute to the cure as a member of the Be The Match Registry, financial contributor or volunteer. Be The Match provides patients and their families one-on-one support, education, and guidance before, during and after transplant. Be The Match is operated by the National Marrow Donor Program® (NMDP), a nonprofit organization that matches patients with donors, educates health care professionals and conducts research so more lives can be saved. To learn more about the cure, visit BeTheMatch.org or call 1 (800) MARROW-2. And here in Atlanta, you can reach them at 404-377-4430.
About the SunTrust Be Greater Program
In partnership with the United Way of Greater Atlanta, Be Greater Atlanta presented by SunTrust is a platform that showcases people through their exemplary efforts, what it means to Be Greater around the Atlanta community. The program follows United Way’s campaign designed to recognize individuals throughout Metro Atlanta that are making a difference in their local communities. Honorees are recognized during a special on-court presentation at a Hawks home game. SunTrust and the Atlanta Hawks are committed to making a difference and shining light on those who truly makes Atlanta a better place to live by positively impacting the community.