As the world’s largest marrow donor center, DKMS recruits volunteer donors to help leukemia patients in need. According to DKMS’ website, there are over 6,000 men, women and children who are searching for their life-saving bone marrow match through the Be The Match Registry® (operated by the National Marrow Donor Program).

The cause is especially significant to 50 Cent because 11-year-old Shannon Tavarez, a leukemia patient and former star of Disney’s “Lion King,” is the rapper’s distant cousin.

“I think when people hear about donating bone marrow, the whole process seems complicated and a lot more difficult than it would be to actually to save someone’s life,” 50 Cent said in a statement.

“I think people would be interested [to donate], especially if they saw me do it, because [fans] look at every blog I put up. So one of the things I’m interested in is being a donor at some point. 70 percent of the people don’t have a match in their family so they have to look outside. You need the help of someone you don’t know.”

As the rapper pointed out, registering is so crucial because 70 percent of patients diagnosed with diseases like leukemia and lymphoma – and who may require cellular therapy such as a marrow transplant – do not have a matched donor in their family.

Two weeks ago 50 Cent and Tony Yayo each took a quick cheek swab and registered with DKMS. They filmed a PSA to show fans how simple it is to “Get Swabbed to Save a Life.” Since then, 50 Cent has helped register nearly 4,000 potentially life-saving donors.

The two rappers filmed a second PSA during this week’s bone marrow drive to urge more fans to register.

Getting involved and helping make a difference is easy.

Potential donors must be between the ages of 18 and 55, be in good general health, weigh more than 110 lbs, not have a history of cancer and not be HIV-positive in addition to a few more eligibility requirements.

Individuals can register online or request a kit by email or phone to receive a bone marrow donor kit in the mail. The kit includes one packet of cotton cheek swabs, instructions and a self-address mailing packet.

For more information and to sign up for a DKMS registration kit, click here.

Click here for 50 Cent’s website.