A “Rattle Them Bones” 5K race in Columbus on Saturday hopes to focus the spotlight on Be The Match, a registry that connects patients with a donor match for life-saving marrow or cord blood transplants. Each year, more than 12,000 people are diagnosed with life-threatening diseases like leukemia and lymphoma in this country. A transplant from an unrelated donor may be their best, and sometimes only, hope for a cure.

The 10 a.m. race at the Demonstration School field, across from Mississippi University for Women’s Stark Recreation Center, is sponsored by The Alumni Association of MUW’s Black List Social Club.

“Patients depend on the registry for a second chance at life,” explained event chair Ashley Morgan Nunn. More registry participants are needed to increase the likelihood of successful matches. With a simple cheek swab, community members may sign up for it during and immediately after Saturday’s race.

The public is also encouraged to donate to the registry that provides patients and their families with one-on-one support, education and guidance before, during and after a transplant. Can’t run? Sign up as a spirit runner to support the cause and receive a T-shirt.

“Every $100 raised helps add another marrow transplant donor to the registry,” Nunn said. “Your contribution could be someone’s cure.”

Sign up for the 5K in advance at https://wrcass.webconnex.com/rattlethembones5k. On-site registration Saturday opens at 9 a.m.

For more race information, contact Nunn at 334-221-8311, or email Rebecca Rogers at [email protected].

Be The Match is operated by the nonprofit National Marrow Donor Program. Learn more about the national registry at BeTheMatch.org, or call l-800-MARROW2.

Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.