“You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and the manner in which you live.” -Stuart Scott

So many people have a story to tell about a cancer warrior they know. These cancer warriors are everyday individuals who have looked this ominous disease square in the eye and have said, “Okay, you might scare me, but I won’t let you take me down without a fight.” These cancer warriors face insurmountable odds with grace and a fierce determination to live and defy the odds. We are humbled and inspired by their courage. These are our friends, neighbors, parents, children and people we love.

On Friday, Dec. 4, you are officially invited to help in the fight against cancer. CCRstudies, a permanent site for Be The Match will be conducting a bone marrow donor registry drive at Core Plus Federal Credit Union, 225 Route 12, Groton.

The donor drive will be held at the credit union from noon until 4 p.m. A simple cheek swab can determine if you are a potential bone marrow match for someone in need. Healthy individuals ages 18 to 44 are eligible. Potential donors over 45 can visit www.BeTheMatch.org to register online.

Each year, thousands of people are diagnosed with life-threatening blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma. The only hope of a cure for many of these patients is a bone marrow or cord blood transplant. About 70 percent of those patients in critical need of a transplant cannot find a match within their own family. This staggering statistic demonstrates the great need to enlist the public’s help in finding a match for those in need of one. In addition to helping fight cancer through marrow donation, Be The Match is also committed to helping to fund research to find a cure for this disease.

As we embark upon the holiday season, please consider giving of yourself. Join us at Core Plus Federal Credit Union. Look for the Be The Match banner and the CCRstudies display. Core Plus will be providing refreshments and CCRstudies will have literature regarding clinical research.

Let’s join together in the fight against cancer. Visit www.BeTheMatch.org to learn more about the National Bone Marrow Donor Registry. You can also visit www.CCRstudies.com to for further information regarding clinical research.

CCRstudies is also conducting a free presentation on Overactive Bladder (OAB) at Shoreline Physical Therapy, 131 Boston Post Road in Niantic, on Monday, Dec. 7, at 12:30 p.m. Pre-registration is encouraged. Call CCRstudies to learn more at (860) 443-4567.

Health Wise is an occasional article about health issues. MaryLou Gannotti, the communications director at CCRstudies in New London, can be reached at marylou@ccrstudies.com.