Events: Arizona - Phoenix - Scottsdale

After 160 life saving blood transfusions, 15-year-old Mia McPoland is still one match away from a cure. As a baby, McPoland was diagnosed with a rare bone marrow failure syndrome called Diamond Blackfan Anemia. Because of this condition, she produces no red blood cells, and thanks to blood donors, she has been able to survive, but her only hope for a true cure is a bone marrow transplant through Be The Match.  

So far, the search has been unsuccessful — so local Mix 96.9 radio host, Mathew Blades and Arizona Coyotes announcer, Tyson Nash, stepped in to help by hosting a Be The Match event in partnership with SkySong and Plaza Companies. 

The event will take place on Thursday, Sept. 28, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at SkySong. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet Mia and join the National Marrow Registry simply by getting a cheek swab. There will also be lunch available at a variety of food trucks. 

Those who are found to be a match, either to McPoland or one of the other thousands of critically ill blood cancer patients, are in most cases able to donate through a non-surgical process similar to a blood donation. Registration is open to those between the ages of 18 and 44. 

For more information on McPoland, visit miasmarrow.com, and more information on SkySong, visit www.skysong.com or www.facebook.com/skysongcenter.