Learn more about this year’s charity!

Every year, thousands of people get life-threatening diseases like leukemia and lymphoma that can be treated with cellular therapies such as a marrow transplant. Seventy percent of patients do not have a matched donor in their family so they depend on the life saving action of people who sign up for the National Marrow Registry and it’s as easy as a cotton swab of the cheek and two simple forms.

Driving For Donors exists to draw donors, attention, and funds to this cause. The non profit organization is the brainchild of now 14-year-old Patrick Pedraja who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at age 10. In 2007, at age 11, Patrick and his family started Driving For Donors and traveled around the country in a special “Donormobile” with the mission of signing people up for the National Marrow Registry to help find bone marrow matches for people in need of a transplant. Since then they have added over 22,000 donors to the registry, saved more than 24 people’s lives with matches and helped raise over $100,000 for tissue typing fees and drive expenses by selling advertising on Patrick’s bald head. Patrick has been honored by the United States Congress, CNN Heroes, DoSomething.org and has appeared on numerous television shows to promote this cause.

10% of the cost of each ticket sold is donated to further this cause making each person attending the Take Action Tour an active participant in making the world a better place. In addition Take Action is offering fans an opportunity to personally help save a life with onsite registration for the National

Marrow Registry available at every tour stop. Registration is simple and only requires the donor to be between the ages of 18 and 61, have a desire to help save a life, and have time for a quick cheek swab and simple paperwork. Registering is much easier than most people think and information about the entire process can be found at BeTheMatch.org. Those under 18 will have plenty of ways to support the cause as well and they can learn more at each show or by visiting drivingfordonors.com.