The Story Behind “GETNEEK”
Back in 2008, a dear friend was diagnosed with leukemia. At the time, a bone marrow transplant was among the few viable paths to a cure. Success depended on finding a donor with a highly compatible DNA profile — typically a match of 7 or higher on a 1–10 scale. For many patients, especially those from underrepresented ethnic groups, locating such a match was like searching for a needle in a haystack.
Faced with this urgency, two close friends — the patient’s brother and his best friend — built a Facebook app to mobilize donors. New registrants earned a token called NEEK, redeemable for small rewards that celebrated generosity and spread the message: be good, do good.
Despite relentless effort, their beloved friend passed away at just 24. The loss was devastating. Yet the spirit of GETNEEK endures — a tribute to friendship and a standing invitation to turn compassion into action.