The National Marrow Donor Program will present the University of Louisiana at Monroe with the Volunteer Innovation Award Friday, Nov. 2 at the organization's headquarters in Minneapolis, Minn.

The award recognizes the extraordinary outcome of ULM's Bone Marrow Drive in February, when more than 2,600 ULM faculty, staff, students and members of the Monroe community poured into ULM's new Student Union Building and set a national record for participation in a one-day drive. The drive was sponsored by ULM’s Department of Clinical Laboratory Science and the Office of Student Life and Leadership.

Wisenor	Snyder

ULM's Debbie Wisenor, interim department head of clinical laboratory science, and Chase Snyder, College of Pharmacy student and Student Government Association vice president, will accept the award on behalf of the university during the recognition ceremony in Minneapolis.

Snyder was tested during ULM's February drive and when he discovered he was a match for a child, he said, "I am not really nervous about it. I am more anxious about whether or not the transplant works for the little boy. Any pain or discomfort I might possibly have is nothing compared to what this child has endured already or what he has to deal with in his future.”

More about the national recognition:

The National Marrow Donor Program Awards recognize individuals and groups for their outstanding contributions in furthering the NMDP’s mission.

Each year, many people dedicate extraordinary amounts of time, energy and talent on behalf of the NMDP. The NMDP Awards are a way to recognize these people for their efforts and dedication to helping more people live longer, healthier lives through marrow and cord blood transplantation.

For more about the ULM's drive, visit:
www.ulm.edu/universityrelations/news/feb07/ahead.html

For a photo gallery about the ULM's drive, visit:
www.ulm.edu/universityrelations/news/gallery/bonemarrow

For more about Snyder's story, visit:
www.ulm.edu/universityrelations/news/aug07/donate.html