Jacob Poindexter (Marshall ’24) joined the NMDP registry and was identified as a match for donation. Here’s what he has to say about his experience:
“Matt Kroeger might have been the first person who signed me up for NMDP in the first place back in 2022 at Sigma Alpha Epsilon’s Executives Academy, held in Washington, DC. That event meant a lot to me, as it was the first national event I attended and truly showed me how large, great, and dedicated my brotherhood with Sigma Alpha Epsilon truly was. It really opened my eyes to what I was a part of, and I felt it helped me realize how much good I could do as a brother, which resulted in me joining NMDP in the first place, so others who may not have the opportunities I was afforded without a lifesaving donation.
That realization and decision have allowed me to fulfill my promise and obligation as a True Gentleman to help others selflessly and without hesitation. As such, I felt it would be appropriate to complete my donation journey wearing the same shirt I received at Executives Academy and wore when I signed up for NDMP, as a way to show how far I have come and how much I have and can still accomplish as a brother and as a person compared to the first time executive board member I was three years ago. I am very thankful I could still fit in that Executives Academy shirt because it was way tighter than I last remember.
In the photo below, you might notice another person, but he isn’t just anyone, he is my best friend and fellow Sigma Alpha Epsilon brother, Gabriel John-Paul Finch. My unlicensed and definitely not professional doctor injected me with two shots of filgrastim for four days to help me prepare for my donation (I am sure he has been waiting for the opportunity to poke me for a long time now). My airline was extraordinaire, who helped me navigate the airports and kept me calm during my first experience flying in any type of aircraft. This was a huge worry of mine and an expert advocate and caretaker who ensured I ate and drank properly. Gabriel made sure I took the proper medication and precautions with the intent of having a stress-free experience. Most of all, though, he went above and beyond not only as my fraternity brother but as my best friend and brother in life. If it wasn’t for him, I am not sure I would’ve gone through with all of this, and I am forever grateful. If there ever was a True Gentleman, it would be him.
I believe this donation truly helped me personally as well. On December 1st, 2024, my grandfather passed away. He was in the hospital for an infection before suffering a major stroke and passing in the hospital. This took my entire family by surprise, he was supposed to be released that day. I never had a chance to say goodbye. Since then I had been feeling lost, he requested there to be no funeral, not even an obituary in the paper. I respected his decision but still felt like I didn’t have closure because of it, which has caused a lot of reflection. When this opportunity for donation was presented to me, I realized that the recipient was of a similar age as my grandfather when he passed. When I saw this, I knew this was something I had to do. I feel like this opportunity has allowed me to potentially help another family have more time with their parent or grandparent or husband, so they don’t have to go through the same thing I did and have more time with their loved ones. This donation has allowed me to help get some closure on my grandfather’s passing, and for that, I am grateful.
