WACO, Texas — Over 300 runners joined races in Waco despite the rain Saturday to raise awareness for bone marrow transplants.
Races kicked off with a kid's race and a 5K.
Officials with Be the Match, the group that organized the event, said every four minutes someone is diagnosed with a blood cancer, and bone marrow transplants can save a life.
People at the race were asked to sign a consent form and get a cheek swab to join a national registry of bone marrow donors.
If someone on the registry is a match for a specific patient asking to donate, the group will reach out to the donor.
Kelli Mills, manager of the marrow donor program at Baylor Scott and White, said events like the race make a big difference in getting the group's message out to the public.
"It is going to support our program," Mills said. "It helps get people on the registry."
Organizers said it is important to register, even if you don't know a person who needs a transplant because it's rare that a patient will personally know someone who would be a match.
"Only a very small percentage of people can actually get a match from their siblings or their family," Mills said.
To join the registry, visit Be The Match's website.