Our History
Officers Give Hope (OGH) is a remarkable multi-agency public safety effort that began in 2000 with a clear mission: to host marrow donor registration drives and find matching donors for patients in need of life-saving transplants. Over the past 20-plus years, we have remained steadfast in our commitment to saving lives through these donor drives.
Our journey started when Honolulu Police Captain Alvin Nishimura was diagnosed with leukemia and urgently needed a marrow transplant. Despite identifying two potential, unrelated donors on the registry, both chose not to proceed with donating. Concurrently, several public safety agencies in southern California were grappling with similar situations as their emergency responders and family members faced leukemia and lymphoma diagnoses. They, too, began organizing marrow donor drives in search of lifesaving matches for their loved ones.
In 2007, Officers Give Hope became a 501(c)(3) charitable and educational organization, further solidifying our dedication to this noble cause. Originally aiming to add 10,000 potential new marrow donors to the national marrow registry, we have far exceeded that goal, recruiting over 17,000 potential donors to date. Each donor gives hope to patients who are still searching for a match and a cure.
The impact of our efforts has been profound, with more than 100 lives saved or extended, bringing renewed possibilities to patients and their families. We take immense pride in the support we have received from volunteers representing various public safety agencies, including the Honolulu Police Department, Orange Police Department, Anaheim Police Department, Tustin Police Department, La Palma Police Department, Fremont Police Department, Cypress Police Department, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and the California Highway Patrol.
Anaheim Police Officer Guy Reneau's inspiring story as a marrow recipient and the journeys of Leukemia survivors La Palma Police Officer Nick Johnson and Retired Orange Police Lieutenant John Whiteley exemplify the profound impact of our mission.
Recognizing the significance of our work, we were honored to receive the inaugural National Service Award from the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) on November 7, 2008. This accolade further motivates us to continue our tireless efforts in the pursuit of saving lives and creating a world where every patient has a chance at a healthier future.
At Officers Give Hope, our collective mission is clear—to make a difference and save lives, one donor at a time. We will continue to stand as a beacon of hope, bringing together communities, public safety agencies, and compassionate individuals to ensure that patients in need find their life-saving matches and experience equal opportunities for better health outcomes.
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