History
Officers Give Hope is a multi-agency law enforcement effort dedicated to hosting marrow donor drives in the hopes of finding a match for those patients awaiting a life-saving transplant.
Officers Give Hope originally began in May of 2000 when Honolulu Police Captain Alvin Nishimura was diagnosed with leukemia and in need of a marrow transplant. Two unrelated donors were identified for Captain Nishimura, but elected not to proceed through the process. A number of law enforcement agencies who also had members stricken with leukemia began hosting marrow donor drives in the hopes of finding their loved ones a life-saving match. Although another match was found for Captain Nishimura, he later succumbed to the disease.
Officers Give Hope has volunteers from the Honolulu Police Department, Orange Police Department, Anaheim Police Department, Tustin Police Department, La Palma Police Department, Fremont Police Department, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and the California Highway Patrol. Originally, their goal was to add 10,000 potential marrow donors to the National Marrow Donor Program’s (NMDP) Registry (www.marrow.org). To date, they have surpassed this goal by recruiting more than 11,000 potential donors to the NMDP’s database. As a result of this tremendous effort, 35 lives have been extended or saved. Of note, Anaheim Police Officer Guy Reneau is a marrow recipient and La Palma Police Officer Nick Johnson and Retired Orange Police Lieutenant John Whiteley are leukemia survivors. On November 7, 2008, Officers Give Hope was recognized by the National Marrow Donor Program and received the inaugural NMDP National Service Award.
Currently, Officers Give Hope is working in partnership with UCI Medical Center (www.ucihealth.com) to continue increasing the number of committed donors in the Registry. We are conducting drives throughout the State of California at various law enforcement facilities and other community events.
Lives Saved
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US Navy Chief Petty Officer
Roy Lancaster and
Anaheim Police Detective Guy Reneau |
Officers Give Hope has located donors for leukemia patients throughout the United States and worldwide. Those who participated in the donation process described it as an incredible experience. It’s the chance to make a difference and save a life.
- US Navy Chief Petty Officer Roy Lancaster (Donor)
Anaheim Police Detective Guy Reneau (Recipient)
- Orange Police Detective Matt Morton (Donor)
Mr. Woody Guerrant (Recipient)
- Costa Mesa Police Officer Trevor Cullen (Donor)
Anonymous Recipient
- CDC Staff Member Ryann Purcella (Donor)
Anonymous Recipient
In Memorium
We have been touched by our friends who fought a valiant fight. Their struggles inspire us to continue to search for matches for others in need.
- Anaheim Police Detective Judi Harmon
December 3, 1960 – May 7, 2001
- Honolulu Police Captain Alvin Nishimura
September 18, 1949 – February 4, 2002
- Anthony “Ducky” Munos
May 31, 1995 – June 14, 2004
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