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Music, dance and laughs are on the menu Friday evening in Matthews, at a fund raising event for an organization trying to raise awareness of the importance of registering as a bone marrow donor.
Livebeyond, founded by cancer survivor Manasvi Koul of Union County, will sponsor "Celebrate Life with Livebeyond," from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Matthews Community Center.
The program will feature Indian music and costumed dance, along with an appearance by the Charlotte-based comedy group the Chuckleheads.
Livebeyond grew from an idea that Manasvi Koul developed while she was in a hospital several years ago, waiting for a bone marrow transplant.
"The number or registered donors is not large, but it's especially small for Asians and African Americans," said Koul, whose family is from India. "There is a tremendous need for more donors, and that starts with awareness."
Koul started a website and hopes Friday's event will launch a new and more active fund raising effort by her organization. Helping her will be Marvin Ridge High student Roshan Bhave. Koul, who graduated from Marvin Ridge in June, will leave in a few weeks to attend the University of Pennsylvania.
Koul never did find a donor. Instead, doctors treated her own marrow. But she said a marrow donation is the best form of treatment.
"The money is needed to organize registration drives and to conduct the required marrow tests," Koul said.
