For Dave. For our community.
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.
New members must be 18–35, meet health criteria, and live in the U.S., its territories, or freely associated states.
Check your eligibilityRequest your free kit, swab your cheeks, and return it in the prepaid envelope. Returning the kit is essential.
Request your swab kitKeep your contact details current. If you may match a patient, NMDP contacts you for more testing and a health evaluation.
Understand the commitmentAlready registered? Stay on your existing registry record and update your contact information—please don’t register twice.
Why Hawaiʻi matters
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.
Help the effort travel
Share NMDP’s original Hope4DavidK flyer and registration QR sheet with friends, colleagues, and community groups.
Before you join
No. It identifies your tissue type. You may never be asked to donate. If you are a potential match, NMDP explains the next steps.
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.
NMDP covers donation-related medical and travel expenses and offers support for costs such as missed wages and childcare.
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.
Yes. Share this page, print the NMDP flyer, or invite eligible friends and coworkers to learn about joining. Every person can help the effort reach someone new.
Here’s where we gather
Southern California and Hawaiʻi event dates, times, and locations are not yet confirmed. Event fliers and volunteer opportunities will be posted here as details are confirmed. In the meantime, you can request a kit from home.
