ABC11's Match Madness challenge: A chance to save a life!

RALEIGH (WTVD) -- St. Patrick's Day revelry was not the only big event in downtown Raleigh. ABC11's Match Madness Bone Marrow Drive was a chance to save a life.

Our Be the Match registration tent was busy all of Saturday afternoon, at the corner of Fayetteville Street and Davie Street. Potential donors between the ages of 18 and 44 were invited to swab their cheek and be added to the registry.

Thousands of patients with blood cancers, like leukemia and lymphoma, depend on the Be the Match registry to find a match to save their lives.

"We have hundreds of patients locally that are searching daily for a match. I have patients I've been working with for two, three years, that still have no match," said Betsie Letterle, with Be the Match.

Match Madness is part donor drive and part competition. Alumni and fans of NC State, UNC, Duke, and NC Central were challenged to deliver the most donors.

ABC11 will reveal the winner on Monday. Don "Big Weather" Schwenneker will broadcast a live report from the winning school.

Two hundred and five donors supported Saturday's drive.

We're still a bit short of our goal, but it is not too late. Click here to sign up online and help save a life!

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