What if you were told you could change someone's life? That you could help someone survive a life-threatening blood disease? It's as easy as a cheek swab to discover if you are a match to help someone get through their illness.

Be The Match is a nonprofit organization that was established in 1986. It is a bone marrow donor program that helps people around the world with over 70 types of life-threatening blood diseases.

With an international registry of over 27,000,000, patients don’t always find the bone marrow type necessary. In fact, only 25 percent of family members will be a complete match for their loved one.

One common misconception is that bone marrow donation is painful. However, thanks to technological advances, bone marrow donation is very similar to giving blood.

This organization gives patients hope for the future. By taking a quick and easy cheek swab, you can be tested to see if you can make a difference and save someone’s life.

Joining the registry does not promise a match. People will be on the registry for years without being contacted. However, if a match is found with your bone marrow type, you will be contacted and given the opportunity to impact the life of someone in need.

So why should you join? Be The Match gives people the opportunity to give back to the community. It's a great way to be grateful for your health, and give back to people who may not be as fortunate. Joining the registry can help you impact someone's life that could live two hours away, or across the country. The best part of Be The Match's system is after one year, you can receive your donor or bone marrow patient's information and connect both through correspondence or in person.

Click here to see first-hand, spine chilling stories about donors and patients. You could be the next success story and impact someone’s life.

Someone on the registry is waiting for you to sign up. You could impact someone's life for the better. So what are you waiting for?

Students at the University of South Florida interested in getting involved can email menesesc@mail.usf.edu