Event Description

The Fort Stewart, GA Soldier Recovery Unit (SRU) Salute to Life 1 Mile Walk/ 5K Run/ 10K Bike is all about the opportunity to potentially save a life. Come join us on February 14th, 2023 at Donovan Field starting at 0630 to learn about the Salute to Life Program and to participate in a great race followed by refreshments and an opportunity to register to save a life. We will open the event at 0630 and start the 10K Bike at 0645, 5K Run at 0650, and the 1 Mile Walk at 0655 from Donavan Field. Registration to join the Salute to life registry will start at 0730 at the finish line. 

The Salute to Life program, works exclusively with active military members and their dependents, DoD civilian employees, Reservists, and Coast Guard and National Guard members to facilitate marrow and stem cell donations.

The design of the Salute to Life program allows us to meet the special needs of military marrow and stem cell donors. While our donors join the National Marrow Donor Registry, they do so through a separate donor management system that offers higher security and staff who understand the complexities of military life. Additionally, we allow rapid donor searches in the event of a mass casualty incident.

Since inception in 1991, they have recruited more than 1,000,000 individuals to fight against blood cancer and other fatal diseases. Each year, more than 17,000 people are diagnosed with diseases such as leukemia, lymphoma, or severe aplastic anemia which require an infusion of blood-producing stem cells. More than 70% of patients are unable to find an appropriate match within their own family and will require an unrelated donor (NMDP, 2019).

All donors are volunteers. While they cannot pay donors for their time or efforts –donors themselves do not have to pay to join or for their expenses related to donation.