For Dave. For our community.
Join Team
Bone Marrow.
Dr. David Kato has spent his career caring for others on Maui. Now, as he faces acute myeloid leukemia (AML), we’re coming together in his honor—with the hope of seeing him return to the medicine he loves.
A cheek swab can put you on the path to helping someone who needs a blood stem cell transplant.
Or text hope4davidk to 61474
Ages 18–35 · Health & residency eligibility checked by NMDP
Inspired by David. For any matching patient.
Joining the registry expands the options for people around the world; it does not mean you will match David.
A simple start. A real commitment.
Start with a swab.
Check & register
New members must be 18–35, meet health criteria, and live in the U.S., its territories, or freely associated states.
See NMDP eligibilitySwab & send it back
Request your free kit, swab your cheeks, and return it in the prepaid envelope. Returning the kit is essential.
Follow the swab guideStay reachable
Keep your contact details current. If you may match a patient, NMDP contacts you for more testing and a health evaluation.
Understand the commitment
Already registered? Stay on your existing registry record and update your contact information—please don’t register twice.
Why Hawaiʻi matters
More of us.
More possibilities.
Matching centers on inherited HLA tissue markers, rather than blood type. People are more likely to match someone with similar ancestry, so Hawaiʻi’s many backgrounds belong in the donor registry.
Donated blood-forming stem cells can rebuild a patient’s blood and immune system. Growing the registry gives transplant teams more potential donors to consider.
Learn why registry diversity mattersOur handout below explains the science and shows how small chances can add up. Its numerical example is illustrative; it does not predict David’s matching odds.
Help the effort travel
Print it. Post it. Pass it on.
Share these materials with colleagues, friends, and community groups. The handout includes the Hope4DavidK registration link and QR code.
Download the two-page PDF
For Dave. For our community.
His story, the transplant process, and how to join.
Download front image
More of us. More possibilities.
The matching science and what donation involves.
Download back imageBefore you join
A few things to know.
Does a swab mean I’m donating today?
No. It identifies your tissue type. You may never be asked to donate. If you are a potential match, NMDP explains the next steps.
How are blood stem cells collected?
About 90% of donations use circulating blood after medication; about 10% collect marrow from the pelvic bone under anesthesia. The patient’s physician chooses the method. Both involve risks and recovery time.
What does donation cost?
NMDP covers donation-related medical and travel expenses and offers support for costs such as missed wages and childcare.
Am I signing up just for David?
No. Hope4DavidK honors David, but registry members can be asked to help any matching patient. Donation is voluntary; if your situation changes, let NMDP know promptly.
Can I help if I’m not eligible?
Yes. Share this page, print the handout, or invite eligible friends and coworkers to learn about joining. Every person can help the effort reach someone new.
Read more from NMDP: Joining the registry · Donor questions & answers · How matching works
Here’s where we gather
One home for the effort.
Swab-drive dates and volunteer opportunities will be posted here as they’re confirmed. In the meantime, you can request a kit from home.