Sheriff’s Academy recruits host bone marrow drive to help kids like Kenji
The Santa Clara County Justice Training Center Academy Class #34 is calling on the community to help save lives. On Saturday, May 31, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., the recruits will host a bone marrow donor drive at the Richey Training Center, 155 W. Hedding St., San Jose.
This effort is part of their community service project and supports Officers Give Hope, a nonprofit that helps find bone marrow matches for patients battling blood cancers and other rare illnesses.
One of those patients is Kenji Lam, a 4-year-old boy from the Bay Area. Kenji is full of energy and loves to play, but he needs a stem cell transplant to survive. He has a rare condition and his best chance at life is finding a donor.
Joining the registry is simple and painless—it only takes a cheek swab. The drive is open to almost anyone ages 18 to 40, especially those from diverse backgrounds. If you match someone, you could give them a second chance at life.
Most donations are done through blood, like donating plasma. A smaller number involves a short outpatient procedure. All costs are covered by the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), which manages the U.S. registry and is supporting this event.
Only 30% of patients find a match in their own family. The rest depend on volunteers. That’s why donor drives are so important and why Academy Class #34 is raising awareness and working to increase donations.
“This is more than a swab. It’s a chance to be someone’s hero,” said Recruit Ken Koltermann. “We’re proud to lead this effort and show how law enforcement can help in more ways than one.”
Officers Give Hope has helped add over 23,000 donors to the NMDP registry and saved hundreds of lives. Now, the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office invites you to help give Kenji—and others like him—a fighting chance.
Santa Clara County employees and community members are encouraged to join the registry. Come swab a cheek, support your neighbors, and be the match that saves a life.