Biltmore Hosts Marrow Registration and Blood Drive

Employees at the Four Seasons Resort came together to support their colleague, Lauren Thurman, in hosting a successful community outreach event on Friday, July 30. They teamed up with the bone marrow donor organization, Be The Match, as well as United Blood Services, and managed to engage the public into committing to these two programs.

Thurman’s brother, Brent, a 21-year-old student at Santa Barbara City College, was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in March. Brent Thurman spent a 40-day period in the hospital and had to undergo a full of round of chemotherapy. To the relief of all concerned, he received a bone marrow transplant on June 29.

Brent Thurman’s suffering inspired his sister into action to raise awareness about the pressing need for more donors. As an employee at the Biltmore hotel, Lauren Thurman was able to organize the event to mobilize local people into giving blood and signing onto the bone marrow register. She and her colleagues sent out press releases and leaflets, and on the day they provided information packs and refreshments to the members of the public who came to get involved.