WKU to host bone marrow donor registration event for Alyssa Cavanaugh

Tyger Williams
Outside hitter Alyssa Cavanaugh (7), spikes the ball against UTEP Miners gaining a point for the lady toppers on Fri. Oct. 20, 2017 at Diddle Arena. The lady toppers won all three sets, bringing home WKU another win.

Matt Stahl
October 30, 2018

WKU athletics announced Tuesday that it would be partnering with Be The Match to host a bone marrow donor registry event to attempt to find a donor for former volleyball player Alyssa Cavanaugh, who was recently diagnosed with Leukemia.

The drive will take place at all WKU athletic events in Diddle Arena Thursday through Sunday. In that time, there will be four events: a women’s basketball exhibition against West Virginia State at 6 p.m. Thursday, a volleyball match against Florida International at 6 p.m. Friday, a men’s basketball exhibition against Kentucky Wesleyan at 2 p.m. Saturday and a volleyball match against Florida Atlantic at noon Sunday.

Registration tables will be set up by the main entrances into Diddle Arena. Those looking to participate will be able to text Cure154 to 61474 to begin the check in process.

Advertisement

Alternatively, QR codes will be available to scan on site, as well as laptops for those without smartphones. WKU athletics will giving out “I Believe in Alyssa Cavanaugh” T-Shirts to the first 430 people to complete the registration process, in reference to the statistic that one out of every 430 people who complete the process end up donating marrow.

After the registration process is completed, applicants will be sent a cheek swab kit to see if they are a match.

The registration tables will be available during Thursday’s Lady Topper basketball game, Friday and Sunday’s volleyball games and Saturday’s men’s basketball games.

Cavanaugh announced her battle with Leukemia via Twitter on Sept. 6. Her mother, Leslie Cavanaugh, said via Twitter Tuesday that she hopes those looking to help will participate in the bone marrow drive.

{{tncms-inline account=”Leslie Cavanaugh” html=”<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Since Alyssa’s diagnosis last month, we get asked all the time “Is there anything I can do?” Here’s your chance <a href="https://t.co/Pt4AYtgCR2">https://t.co/Pt4AYtgCR2</a></p>— Leslie Cavanaugh (@lcavanaugh922) <a href="https://twitter.com/lcavanaugh922/status/1057340614340235264?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 30, 2018</a></blockquote>” id=”https://twitter.com/lcavanaugh922/status/1057340614340235264″ type=”twitter”}}

Reporter Matt Stahl can be reached at 270-745-6291 and matthew.stahl551@topper.wku.edu Follow him on Twitter at @mattstahl97.