MARQUETTE, Mich.— Northern Michigan University Athletic Director Ken Godfrey was diagnosed with leukemia and recently received word of a potential bone marrow match. Now he is hoping to help others facing a similar health crisis.

Godfrey is lending his name to a donor registry drive and fundraiser that will be held at three campus events: from 5-8:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 4-5 in Vandament Arena, to coincide with the NMU-Lake Superior State hockey series; and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 8, in the Superior Room of the University Center during the Wildcat Wellness Fair.

“Dr. Michelle Shields from the Health Center contacted Ken to see if he would be interested in doing something in his name and it went from there,” said Brian Gaudreau of NMU Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreational Sports. “Ken’s going through the process now and this drive is designed to help someone else down the road. The goals are to recruit new donors for the national ‘Be the Match’ registry and to generate support for the Pay It Forward Funding Program.”

According to the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), joining the registry involves swabbing one’s cheek cells and tissue typing the sample. It costs Michigan Blood, the organization collaborating on the campus effort, $180 to test each donor. The Pay It Forward program allows organizations and individuals to become supporting members of the NMDP’s “Be the Match” registry by contributing money to help cover testing costs. A minimum $25 tax-deductible gift is encouraged, but any amount will be accepted. Prospective marrow donors are not required to contribute money to join the registry.

Godfrey has worked at NMU for more than 30 years. He was appointed athletic director in 2003.