Little Greek President Alive Thanks To Bone Marrow Donor

CLEARWATER, FL --Little Greek Fresh Grill in Clearwater will pay tribute to the restaurant's president on Tuesday, Feb. 12, by hosting a fundraiser to support Marrow Nation, a cause that's close to home for the Little Greek family.

In 2017, Nick Vojnovic, Little Greek president and longtime Valrico resident, underwent a successful bone marrow transplant. Vojnovic plans to contribute a 20 percent match donation to what is raised Feb. 12.

“I am fortunate and grateful that a bone marrow match was found for me.” Vojnovic said. “ Not every one is so lucky.”

The fundraiser will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. at the restaurant at 3700 Ulmerton Road.

“We are proud to partner with the nonprofit Marrow Nation,” said Irena Sladejovic, Little Greek Ulmerton owner-operator. “Marrow Nation’s goal is to help collect potential bone marrow marrow/stem cell transplant donors."

According to Marc Silver of Marrow Nation, there are 14,000 people in the United States seeking a bone marrow match.

“We only can find about 60 percent matches,” Silver said. “We need more people to sign up to see if they can be a match. The test is quick and painless.”

In 2001, Vojnovic held a bone marrow drive through his restaurants and signed up to become a donor himself. He never expected that the bone marrow registry he was supporting would save his own life. See his story here:

Little Greek has Tampa Bay locations in Valrico, Riverview, the USF area, Apollo Beach, New Tampa, South Tampa, Westshore Plaza, Lakeland, Carrollwood, Westchase, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Palm Harbor, Trinity, Largo, New Port Richey, Lakewood Ranch and Spring Hill.

For more information on Marrow Nation, click here.

Images via Nick Vojnovic

Nick Vojnovic meets Caroline, his bone marrow donor.

Two years after his bone marrow transplant, Vojnovic completes the Miles for Moffitt race in December to benefit the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute.

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