Students passing through the Student Union on Wednesday between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. were encouraged to register to become a bone marrow donor in support of the “Swabbin’ 4 Robin” campaign.  
The campaign committee welcomed guests from Good Morning America (GMA) who filmed participants for a welcome back program to be presented on the show when Southeastern Alumni and GMA co-anchor Robin Roberts makes her first debut on air since her bone marrow transplant in September.
Students from several organizations and participants of the “Swabbin’ 4 Robin” campaign traveled to the Lakefront Airport in New Orleans to welcome her home for Superbowl coverage in the city. Following her arrival, she expressed excitement from her greeting and pride in Southeastern.
“Being greeted by my beautiful Southeastern family was an exciting way to return home,” said Roberts. “Everyone lifted my spirits and made me proud to be a Lion.”
After her illness was announced, the campaign was launched by the combined efforts of Lion Athletics, Sigma Alpha Pi and alumna Christopher McKinley, all united by the “Be the Match Foundation.” Determined to show support and increase awareness of the need for bone marrow donors, the team worked together to give students the opportunity to become involved in the campaign and save a life.
“Women’s basketball wanted to do it in her honor because she’s a Lady Lion’s alum, and she’s completely supported us all the way,” said Lady Lions head basketball coach, Lori Davis Jones.  “She was always very generous in her support of Southeastern Women’s Basketball and Southeastern Louisiana University. It’s our way of passing it forward for whomever, with whoever can be a part of that process of helping us pass it forward. Whitney’s passing it forward through her father; Chris McKinley has also passed it forward for us. He was on the ground floor of all this as well.  There’s a lot of us on the ground floor that helped turn this in to what it has become, and the vision was to make it beautiful.”
Whitney Christy, Sigma Alpha President, expressed excitement in the growth of the campaign.
“We never expected it to be this big,” said Christy. “We really just wanted to do something in the local area, and we never expected it to grow as much as it has. It’s just amazing how people are finding more in common just to help out with this cause.”
The “Swabbin’ 4 Robin” campaign, named by Chris Jones of the Southeastern faculty, began with an idea to host an event at one home game of each athletic program for the 2012-2013 academic year. Students were initially presented with the opportunity to participate at a soccer game, and the initiative continued with volleyball and football homecoming. Since its start, the campaign has added over 300 donors into the “Be the Match” database.   
“I just wanted to do my part and make sure other Lions get behind her and support her,” said McKinley. “I’d like for Southeastern leaders to continue the program and for it to become philanthropy at Southeastern. Just because Ms. Roberts is getting better doesn’t mean we should stop. There are still other people out there who need donors. Due to the fact that I’m no longer in Hammond, I’m not able to contribute as much as I would like to, but I do still promote it.”
Students were also asked to make donations to the “Be the Match” foundation. Although the campaign allows students to register and become listed in the database with no cost, funding is needed for the complete process. All donations will directly benefit the costs associated.
“There’s a cost involved with collecting a donor,” said Jones. “It costs about $100 from the swab all the way into the data bank per donor. We’ve collected over 300 donors so there’s a financial initiative that we need to be able to put in place at some point. That’s why we have a donation jar to help balance it a little bit.”
Students will have another opportunity to participate at the Lady Lions home game versus Lamar on March 9. The Lady Lions will recognize the Roberts family during the game and have invited them to attend.
For more information on the “Swabbin’ 4 Robin” campaign and ways to contribute, visit www.selu.edu/alumni_donors/dev_foundation/swabbin4robin/.