Join us as we team up with St Pete Young Professionals to delete blood cancer on Tuesday July 21st at 5:30pm!

Who: The Jackson Copeland Foundation, St Pete Young Professionals, and Green Light Cinema & Lounge.

What: A donor registration event for the international DKMS Blood Stem Cell Registry.

When: Tuesday, July 21st from 5:30pm to 7:00pm (followed by a free comedy show in the Green Light Lounge!).

Where: Green Light Cinema & Lounge, 221 2nd Ave N, St Petersburg FL 33701

Why: For many patients battling high-risk leukemia and other types of blood cancer, a stem cell transplant (also known as a bone marrow transplant) isn’t just another treatment option—it is often their only chance at a cure. When a patient falls into an intermediate to high-risk category, their medical team will almost immediately put them on track for a transplant if their body can handle it.

However, there is a catch. Unlike blood transfusions, stem cell matching is not based on blood type; it relies on a complex genetic marker system called HLA typing. Because these matches are so specific, many patients cannot find a suitable donor within their own families and must rely entirely on the kindness of strangers around the globe.

There is a patient out there right now waiting for a genetic twin, and you could be the exact match they need to survive!

What’s Involved?

When people hear “bone marrow donor,” they often picture painful, invasive surgeries. We want to set the record straight: joining the registry and donating stem cells is incredibly simple and painless!

• Joining the Registry: It requires absolutely no needles or blood draws up front. The matching process is done through a simple cheek swab kit via mail. Here’s a video showing the swabbing process (and note that we’ll be doing all of this for you on site during the event, making it even easier!).
• The Donation Process: If you are identified as a match for a patient in need, the actual donation is usually a non-surgical procedure. Typically, the cells are collected via an IV line through a process called apheresis. It is very similar to donating plasma or platelets: you sit in a comfortable chair, watch a movie or read a book, and let the machine do the work.

Furthermore, if you are called to donate, all costs for the procedure, travel to a collection center, lodging, and even childcare or pet care are completely covered by the donor program.

Can’t make it on July 21st? Register for an at-home DKMS stem cell donor swab kit here!

Sponsorship Opportunities:

Why Sponsor? By sponsoring Lifesavers & Laughs, your company will directly contribute to expanding the international stem cell registry, giving hope to patients around the globe waiting for their genetic twin. Sponsoring this event places your brand in front of a highly engaged, community-focused demographic of St. Pete Young Professionals and local philanthropists. It is a powerful way to demonstrate your corporate social responsibility while aligning your business with a life-saving cause!