Help Kenji and Kobe find their donor match

Join Kenji and Kobe’s search for a match

Juan Uribe is standing with Kenji and Kobe, two young brothers searching for a blood stem cell donor. Joining the registry gives them a chance to do what they do best—be kids.

Join the donor registry

Two young children in hospital gowns walk hand in hand down a hospital hallway.

Kobe and Kenji, searching patients

Without treatment, these rare blood diseases could quickly become much worse

Kenji, 5, and Kobe, 2, are growing up side by side. Like many kids their age, they love Minecraft, Sonic, mac and cheese, and simply being brothers. Kobe’s favorite things are often “anything his brother Kenji loves.”

Both boys are living with a rare genetic condition that affects their bone marrow. Right now, their family needs help finding a blood stem cell donor who could give them the chance to continue enjoying the childhood they deserve.

become a donor

You can help Kenji and Kobe by joining the registry

If you’re between 18 and 35, you can join the NMDP Registry^SM today with a simple cheek swab.

1. Get your free swab kit

Sign up online, answer a few questions to confirm you can join, then tell us where to mail your free swab kit (usually arrives in 3–7 days).

Join the donor registry

2. Swab and send it back

Follow the kit instructions to swab your cheeks, then mail the kit back in the prepaid envelope. We’ll process your samples to add your tissue type to the registry.

3. Stay ready to save a life

Patients are most likely to match someone who shares a similar ethnic background. Some people are called quickly, others wait years—and some may never be called.

What to expect when you donate blood stem cells

90% donate PBSC

Peripheral blood stem cells are donated in a nonsurgical procedure similar to donating plasma

$0 to donate

NMDP^SM pays for all travel and medical expenses and helps cover lost wages

Support at every step

A dedicated NMDP team helps you plan, prepare and recover

faqs

Common questions about becoming a donor

Find out more about joining the registry and becoming a blood stem cell donor.

You can register as a potential donor if you’re:
- Between the ages of 18 and 35
- A resident of the U.S., its territories, or freely associated states
- Able to meet our health guidelines
- Not already registered through another U.S. organization
NMDP focuses on young adults because research shows blood stem cells from younger donors give patients their best chance at transplant success and surviving long term. Once registered, you’ll stay listed as a potential donor until you're 61, unless you ask to be removed.
If you match a patient, we’ll contact you to confirm your commitment. You’ll then undergo further testing—using a cheek swab, blood sample or stored sample—to ensure you’re the best possible match.

If selected, you’ll attend an information session to learn about the donation process, risks and side effects. We’ll share basic patient details (age, gender and disease) and confirm the requested donation method: either bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC).
Both peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) and bone marrow donation are less painful than you probably think. Discomfort and side effects vary from person to person, but it’s nothing like what you see on TV.

Some of the common side effects of PBSC donation are headaches, nausea and tiredness—from the daily shots of a drug called filgrastim or an FDA-approved similar administered in the 5 days leading up to donation.

For a bone marrow donation, you experience no pain before or during the procedure, but you may feel sore or achy for a few days afterward.
The full donation process takes time but is flexible around your schedule. Here’s a general timeline:
- Before donation: You’ll attend an info session and have follow-up appointments for blood tests and a physical exam.
- Donation day: Most people donate in one day.
- Total time: Expect to spend 20 to 30 hours over several weeks, not counting travel time. Many donors travel and may stay overnight in a hotel.
Patients and donors are matched through human leukocyte antigen (HLA) markers, inherited from both parents. Because of this, individuals are more likely to match with someone of similar ethnic background.

Currently, patients from ethnically diverse backgrounds face greater challenges finding a donor because the registry doesn't yet reflect the diversity of the patients who need help. By increasing the diversity of the NMDP Registry, we improve the odds of finding a life-saving match for everyone.

Two young children pose in festive clothing in front of Lunar New Year decorations.

Kobe and Kenji, searching patients

Let's get as many new people added to the registry to help save Kenji and Kobe—time is running out for them and we want to maximize their odds of a successful, complication-free blood stem cell transplant!"

Juan Uribe

Father of transplant recipient Max

Take action

Do something life-saving

Kenji, Kobe and thousands of other patients are searching for matching blood stem cell donors. Your first step is a simple cheek swab. Join the NMDP Registry today.

Join the donor registry

Join Kenji and Kobe’s search for a match

Without treatment, these rare blood diseases could quickly become much worse