Anthony Storti 2W7, Power Plant Technology student
During a recent Student Assembly, Jackie Vargas-Bines from the NMDP, formerly known as the National Marrow Donor Program and a global nonprofit leader in cell therapy, spoke to Williamson students about the value of joining the NMDP registry. The registry connects patients with life-threatening blood cancers and disorders, such as leukemia, lymphoma, and sickle cell, with matching blood stem cell and bone marrow donors. Creating a robust registry is vital, as 75% of patients are unable to find a match within their own family.
Diversifying the registry with donors of lesser-represented ethnicities is a major thrust of the NMDP. NMDP focuses on recruiting young adults, as research shows that blood stem cells from younger donors give patients their best chance of transplant success. Once registered, potential donors remain in the system until they are 61.
Jackie, a Class of 2024 Lehigh University graduate, shared her own journey to stem cell donation; her presentation made a resounding impact: 47 members of the student body added their names to the NMDP registry.
One of those students is Anthony Storti 2W7, a Ridley Park native who is a student in Williamson’s Power Plant Technology program. Anthony says being at Williamson has helped him connect more closely with his faith and the value of service to others. In addition to playing lacrosse, singing in the Artisans choral group, and serving as president of Williamson’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter, Anthony offers weekend mission trips through the school’s Bible Study to Center City, Philadelphia. “We make sandwiches – it’s all student funded – and hand them out all over the city and pray with them.” Anthony said he didn’t hesitate to sign up for the registry, as it was another area where he could give back to others.
A fellow senior added, “You can help someone based on your genetics. I was surprised to learn how hard it is to find a match. I like to give back because the school gave back to me. It provided me with a scholarship for the past three years and I am so grateful.”
Service is a core value at Williamson, exemplified in ways both big (our annual Service Week) and small. In November, students will participate in the school’s American Red Cross Blood Drive – filling another urgent need in the community.
