In April of 2006, just over one year since Rich's diagnosis, the Hope Foundation had already begun successfully impacting the Boston and New York cancer communities. As a major sponsor of both the Boston and Long Island LIGHT THE NIGHT walks, the Rich Cronin Hope Team earned over $30,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as Rich made plans to share his story as a society Patient Hero at the next year's event. Then.....everything changed.
"With the news of Rich's relapse," says Melissa Holland, "the whole scope of what we wanted to do changed. In the month's before, we knew we wanted to promote awareness and Rich would do that with his public voice. He knew he wanted to be a source of hope, but it was as if we hadn't pinpointed a comprehensive way to do that. When Rich relapsed and it was evident that it would have to be an anonymous donor from the registry to give him the chance to get his life back, the whole mission became abundantly clear."
On May 20, 2006, the Hope Foundation held its first MARROW FOR LIFE drive. Promising to facilitate the registration of 500 people within one year, that drive produced the first 60 registrations. Since that date, RCHF has participated in drives responsible for the registration of over 3,000 volunteer marrow donors. The Foundation educates individuals on the importance of growing the national registry, offers financial support to cover the cost of registration and helps recruit new members in its continuing effort.
"The number 500 somewhat came out of nowhere. Those initial drives were the result of the restless energy of Rich's family and closest friends; the energy one gets when they are watching someone they love fight for their life. You can either let that energy consume you with sadness, or, you can turn around and do something positive with it. We chose positive - MARROW FOR LIFE was born."
