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Hackathon Task will be published on July 1, 2025. Submissions will close at noon on eastern July 7, 2025.
Winners will be announced online at noon eastern July 31, 2025.
Turning Darkness Into Light
My Mother is My "Why"
Hi,
My name is Alaina Ahuja, and in the fall of 2024, my mother, Neelofar Ahuja, was at home when she received a life-changing phone call from her primary doctor. She had been diagnosed with aplastic anemia. Our lives were transformed with that one phone call.
The months that followed were a blur of hospital visits, blood transfusions, and bone marrow biopsies. Now, my mother is working through her treatment and still fighting battles every day. To bring more awareness and support to victims like her worldwide, I decided to combine my passion in computer programming to launch Hack for Marrow.
Aplastic anemia can leave patients feeling isolated and hopeless, but through this event, we aim to turn that darkness into light. This hackathon will bring together young minds from all walks of life to collaborate on solutions that can provide support to the hundreds of families struggling with bone marrow failures.
This event will not only challenge participants to think creatively about healthcare innovations but also raise essential funds for the AAMDSIF (Aplastic Anemia and MDS International Foundation), which provides research, support, and hope to those in need.
I hope that the support we can provide to those struggling with these illnesses can ensure that no mother ever has to leave her home for a hospital or love her kids through a phone screen.
Funds raised will go directly to AAMDSIF, enabling them to continue their critical work in research and patient support. For me, this is about honoring my mother’s strength and resilience while empowering other teens to become part of something larger than themselves—a movement for care, compassion, and change.
Together, we can inspire hope and make a real impact in the fight against aplastic anemia.
Event Details
Hack for Marrow is a week-long global hackathon designed for teenagers aged 13 to 19. Whether you're a passionate coder or exploring programming for the first time, we’d love to have you join us!
Participants may compete individually or in teams of up to three members. To register, simply click the “Register” button above to sign up as an individual or with your team.
The official challenge and submission form will be released on July 1st, 2025. From that date, participants will have one week to develop a unique project or proof of concept using any official programming language. Projects should align with the provided theme and adhere to the official competition rules.
All submissions must be completed by 11:59 PM EST on July 7th, 2025, and must include:
- Project name and brief description
- A link to the project in a public GitHub repository (recommended) or a
.zipfile of the project files - A 1–3 minute demo video showcasing and explaining the project
- Names of all collaborators included in the entry
Following the submission period, all entries will be evaluated by a panel of volunteer judges based on the following criteria: originality, technical proficiency, creativity, and relevance to the hackathon theme. The top three entries will be officially announced and recognized on July 31st, 2025.
Above all, remember: this is more than just a competition — it’s your opportunity to use code to make a difference, and connect with like-minded peers from across the globe. No matter your experience level, Hack for Marrow is your platform to innovate, express, and inspire.
We can't wait to see what you create. Let’s build something that matters.
Our heartfelt gratitude to Global Genes for their support of this fundraising event.
Hack for Marrow
Hack for Marrow