Waco: Miracle Match Marathon is more than just a race

Close to 1,000 people raced the Miracle Match Marathon in Waco.

The two-day weekend event included a one-mile fun run and a 5K race on Saturday and a marathon,half-marathon, 10K and relay on Sunday.

"It benefits the National Marrow Donor Program or Be the Match and that’s why we call it Miracle Match. We joke around and say it sounds like dating service. Truth is the bridge behind me symbolizes a miracle when someone is matched to donate their stem cells," says race director Nancy Goodnight.

In attendance for the race was Honorary Chair Joe Griffin, who had a bone transplant preformed in August.

“I was training to ride a bike race here and found out my cells in my body were not making red cells, white cells, and platelets enough,”

he said.

Griffin was diagnosed with bone marrow failure and the only cure was a stem cell transplant.

Through the Be the Match program Mr. Griffin matched with a complete stranger who had the kindness to sign up and donate.

“Ironically in 2015 I signed up to be a donor, and little did I know I was going to be a recipient.”

Joe has been doing really well since his transplant, as he has even picked back up bike riding.

He says it will be a full year before he is healed completely, but urges everyone to become a donor if possible.