In 1998, sixteen-year-old Alden Tucker read a news story about Michael Peñon, a fifteen-year-old boy of multiracial heritage who had contracted leukemia. Michael's only hope for recovery was a bone-marrow transplant; unfortunately, his exotic ethnic heritage African-American, Hispanic, and Korean drastically reduced his chances of finding a matching donor. Alden Tucker, who is also of the same ethnic mix as Michael, immediately volunteered to serve as a donor. Because bone marrow donation is an invasive and painful procedure, federal law prohibits bone marrow testing for people under eighteen years of age.

Alden Tucker wasn't about to take "no" for an answer. He began talking to reporters and legislators about changing the consent laws for bone marrow donation. He also met and befriended Michael Peñon. Just before Michael's death in 1999, Alden promised him that he would never give up the campaign to change bone marrow donation laws. In March 2000, the Michael Peñon Law allowing bone marrow testing and donation by people under the age of eighteen was signed into law in the state of Washington.

He was only a teenager but Alden Tucker made a difference. So can you. So can I if we're willing to pay the price. That is why a cross stands at the center of our worship. Someone was willing to pay the price in our behalf.