The Clanton Advertiser

The Be the Match Registry was at Chilton Medical Center Tuesday, providing local residents the opportunity to be a bone marrow donor.

The registry, operated by the National Marrow Foundation, allows those who sign up to be able to donate umbilical cord blood or peripheral blood stem cells as a means of replacing a patient’s unhealthy blood-forming cells with healthy ones.

“We exceeded our goal,” said Rachel Harris, National Marrow Donor Program Account Executive. “Our goal was 30 [registered], and we got 34.”

The drive was assisted by the family of Clint Cleckler, a Clanton native who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia in March. A donor was identified recently, and Clecker will receive his transplant on July 15.

The family of Clint Cleckler, a Clanton native who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia in March, helped with Tuesday's drive.

“[The Cleckler family] contacted me and helped put it on,” said Harris. “They did all the advertising in town and held a fundraiser for it.”

Harris went on to say she was open to more marrow drives in Chilton County.

“If any group is interested in hosting a drive, please contact us,” she said.

For more information on how to donate or host a drive, contact Harris at (877) 601-1925, ext. 7783.