Thirty-nine year old Derek Russell is an icon in the local mixed martial arts and Jiu Jitsu community—as a coach, athlete, and great friend. He was training for a title fight when he was diagnosed with leukemia in December 2008. While the cancer may have temporarily taken Derek out of the ring, it certainly hasn’t taken the fighter out of Derek. Currently, he is undergoing chemotherapy treatments, to be followed by a bone marrow transplant.

In an effort to help Derek and other patients like him, Impact Jiu Jitsu has organized a bone marrow registry drive in conjunction with the Submission Wrestling League. The drive will be held on Saturday, May 30, during the 2009 “Sub League” Championship. All competitors, spectators, friends, and the public are encouraged to attend the drive between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. at Liberty High School, located at 21945 NW Wagon Way, Hillsboro, OR 97124.

Among Derek’s many supporters, professional fighter Nathan “Rock” Quarry will be at the event promoting participation in the drive and meeting fight fans.

Joining the Registry

Participants complete a short health questionnaire and sign a form stating they understand what being on the registry means. They then give a swab of cheek cells to be tested, and their information is added to the registry.

Thousands of patients with leukemia and other life-threatening diseases depend on the Be The Match Registry^SM to find a match to save their life. Patients need donors who are a genetic match. Even with a registry of millions, many patients cannot find a match. To learn more, visit www.BeTheMatch.org.

Two very generous private donors have offered to cover the cost of typing for those who join the registry on May 30 (normally $25 per registrant). Contributions are welcome and encouraged. “We have enough financial support to cover the cost of 104 new sign ups to the Be The Match Registry. We feel helpless when people we care about suffer from a serious illness. We want to get the word out that this is a real way to help. One hundred sign ups would be amazing, and I think this community can do it!” said Michael Chapman, co-owner of Impact Jiu Jitsu.

Participants in the drive are encouraged to attend the Submission Wrestling League. Drawing an average of 200 competitors and more than 400 spectators at each of its three events every spring, “Sub League” has grown into the Northwest’s largest grappling tournaments. “Derek won his division at the 2008 Oregon Open, a sister event to Sub League. His presence on the mat is greatly missed. We look forward to having him back on the mat and in the gym as soon as possible,” said Tom Oberhue, co-owner of Impact Jiu Jitsu.

This year’s Championship expects to populate six competitor rings from 10 in the morning to 5 in the afternoon. It is anticipated that 200 athletes will compete in more than 350 matches throughout the day. More details can be found at www.subleague.com. Spectator fees are $5 for adults and children over age 12. A portion of the proceeds from the Championship will go toward the cause.

Help Derek and thousands of other patients like him by coming out on May 30 and joining the Be The Match Registry^SM.