BOCA RATON, Florida — Preparing students to be responsible citizens is a pillar of the University of Mount Union mission. For Michael Kanagy ’27, a biochemistry major on the pre-med track from Beloit, Ohio, that notion went one step further after a simple cheek swab more than a year ago. 

Kanagy, like many Mount Union students, is actively involved in student organizations on campus; one of which is the Alpha Phi Omega (APO) service fraternity. At an APO meeting in February 2025, members were given the opportunity to join the Gift of Life donor registry by simply swabbing their cheeks. If a donor is matched with a patient, they can donate stem cells or bone marrow to potentially save the patient's life, making it an easy choice for Kanagy.

“To me, being a donor means serving your fellow man,” he said. “I could not stop thinking about my grandparents who had passed away from cancer; if somebody could have donated to help them, I would have been so appreciative, which made it an easy decision for me to donate.” 

While not right away, Kanagy matched with a patient. Nearly 16 months later, he flew down to Boca Raton, Florida, to donate stem cells to a person in need. The Gift of Life calls this process a “donation vacation,” as the organization covers transportation, airfare, and hotel accommodations, and provides meal stipends for the duration of the trip.

“The whole experience was surreal. The opportunity to save a life is rare, and I am humbled to have been a part of it,” he said. “I thought about being that patient and knowing that a random person could save your life would give you a lot of hope. I am grateful to be able to potentially give that patient hope.” 

Kanagy is not the only Mount Union student to be a Gift of Life donor, as he followed in the footsteps of fellow APO brother Brendan Glauthier ’27, who also donated stem cells in February 2026. The Gift of Life has found nearly 48,000 donor matches and facilitated more than 6,700 donations in 48 countries.

“If somebody is on the fence about donating or this experience, I would tell them that the minuscule pain you will feel from donation could save somebody who has been suffering for years and potentially close to death,” Kangy said. “That random person could be somebody's parent, friend, or sibling, and you have the potential to give them an extra life.”

Kanagy, who is currently applying to medical schools while working as an EMT, understands what his donation can mean for a person in need. It is simply another example of a Purple Raider embodying the Mount Union mission and making a significant difference.

Learn more about the Gift of Life at giftoflife.org.