When Mohave College Bullhead City Campus Librarian Blaine Hamilton swabbed his cheek during a blood stem cell donor drive at the campus library, he thought it was just a small way to help and set a good example for students and others. He never really expected that his simple act would actually save a life.
Hamilton has now made history, becoming the first person in the nation to match a recipient through the partnership between the TriBeta Biological Honor Society and NMDP, a global non-profit leader in cell therapy, which manages the blood stem cell donor registry of more than 9 million members in the U.S.
TriBeta chapters have been holding NMDP Registry drives at colleges and universities nationwide for several years, and Mohave College’s Bullhead City Campus produced the first confirmed life-saving match. Information about the recipient may be released at a later date, pending their approval.
“I honestly never expected to hear from NMDP,” Hamilton said. “When I got the call, I thought it was spam. Once I realized what it was, I thought it must be a mistake, I figured a match would take several years.”
Hamilton said the donation process and actual procedure were simple and painless. According to NMDP, 90 percent of blood stem cell donations are collected from circulating blood through a non-surgical procedure similar to donating plasma or platelets. A blood stem cell transplant can be used to cure or treat more than 75 different blood cancers like leukemia or blood disorders such as sickle cell disease.
“Physically, I was just tired afterward, and emotionally I felt good knowing I followed through. The most difficult part was finding a medical facility because we (he and NMDP) couldn’t find one in Mohave County that would do it, so I had to drive to Las Vegas.”
NMDP says that about 75-percent of patients who need a blood stem cell transplant must rely on donors outside their families, since most matches are found among unrelated people. That’s why drives like the one hosted by the Mohave College chapter of the TriBeta Honor Society are so important.
“Blaine’s donation is a testament to the power of partnerships and the impact that can be made when organizations like TriBeta come together with NMDP to make a difference,” said Amanda Scott, Director of Partnerships & Programs at NMDP. “The commitment and altruism shown by these college students and staff members who support them creates hope for patients by strengthening the NMDP Registry across hundreds of campuses nationwide. Every cheek swab represents a future possibility to save a life, and as more individuals join, this movement will continue to grow and make an even greater impact.”
Hamilton’s story has resonated deeply within the Mohave College community, serving as a reminder of the difference one person’s choice can make.
“Having one of our own team members make the first-ever national match through TriBeta’s partnership with NMDP is something the entire College is proud of,” said Dr. Tim Culver, Interim Mohave College President. “This is what community and education are all about, people using their knowledge, compassion, and action to make a real difference.”
TriBeta’s National Executive Director hopes this historic moment will help encourage others to take part and strengthen a registry that quite literally saves lives.
“TriBeta is deeply honored to celebrate this historic first match made possible through our national partnership with NMDP. This moment reflects TriBeta’s mission in action – advancing biological knowledge while inspiring our members to use that knowledge in service to others,” said Iris Daly, National Executive Director of the TriBeta Biological Honor Society. “The dedication shown by the Epsilon Chi Gamma Club at Mohave College exemplifies the power of student-led service, and their commitment directly contributed to this life-saving outcome.”
Mohave College Life Sciences Instructor Eric Osborn is also the TriBeta Chapter Advisor who helped organize the donor drive at the College.
“Our goal was to show students that science isn’t just something you learn – it’s something you live,” said Osborn. “Seeing Blaine become the first national match for a TriBeta donor drive is an incredible reminder that a simple act, like a cheek swab, can literally save a life. It’s a moment of pride for the College, the community and the national honor society.”
For his part, Hamilton says he doesn’t see himself as a life-saving hero, just someone who said “yes” when asked to help. “It feels good, but I don’t think of it as saving someone, I hope it encourages others to sign up for the registry.”
NMDP has facilitated more than 140,000 life-saving cell therapy transplants since 1987. Individuals between 18 to 35 years of age can register as a potential donor by visiting My.NMDP.org/MohaveMedia or scan the QR code below. You can also text MohaveMedia to 61474.
Joining takes only a few minutes and a quick cheek swab, and as Hamilton’s experience proves, it can change a life forever.
Those living in Mohave County can also keep an eye on the Mohave College events calendar for the next registry drive at Calendar.Mohave.edu.
Scan Join the Donor Registry
Full Statement from TriBeta National Office:
“TriBeta is deeply honored to celebrate this historic first match made possible through our national partnership with NMDP. This moment reflects TriBeta’s mission in action—advancing biological knowledge while inspiring our members to use that knowledge in service to others. The dedication shown by the Epsilon Chi Gamma Club at Mohave College exemplifies the power of student-led service, and their commitment directly contributed to this life-saving outcome.
Through our chapters, our student members and advisors continue to demonstrate that science and service are deeply intertwined, and together with NMDP, we are strengthening a registry that quite literally saves lives. We are empowering students to be part of something larger than themselves—creating hope, sharing knowledge, expanding possibilities, and ultimately helping save lives. We are proud of this partnership and excited for the impact it will continue to make on campuses and communities nationwide,” said Iris Daly, National Executive Director of the TriBeta Biological Honor Society.
Blaine Hamilton, Librarian at Mohave College, pictured in the Bullhead City Campus Library – Hamilton became the first nationally confirmed match through a donor drive organized by the TriBeta Biological Honor Society and the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), turning a simple cheek-swab into a life-saving opportunity.