A local travel agency operates for a specific cause – to financially support blood cancer research.
GiveByCruising donates 70% of its booking commissions to Blood Cancer United, formerly The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The Greenville-based company has committed to donating at least $1 million to the global nonprofit organization over the next five years.
John Kopchinski and his son co-founded GiveByCruising in May 2025. The travel agency operates under the Dream Vacations franchise, helping customers book cruises, all-inclusive vacations and luxury trips.
Advancing lifesaving blood cancer research is a personal mission for Kopchinski, whose wife was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2023. Kimberly Kopchinski, a three-time cancer survivor, received treatment at the Prisma Health Cancer Institute in Greenville and support from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. She is now in remission and works alongside her husband as a travel agent for GiveByCruising.
The local travel agency plans to match donations up to $250,000 made to Blood Cancer United during Myeloma Awareness Month each March through 2028. GiveByCrusing will also serve as a corporate sponsor for the global nonprofit, contributing $50,000 annually over the next five years. John Kopchinski said they hope to be a long-term matching partner for Blood Cancer United.
“We think that this has the power to do good,” John Kopchinski said.
Approximately 21.7 million Americans are projected to go on ocean cruises this year, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA). John Kopchinski explained that if a small percentage of those trips are booked through GiveByCruising, the travel agency would generate significant funding for Blood Cancer United.
Coker Powell, executive vice president and chief revenue officer at Blood Cancer United, said they are deeply grateful for the partnership with GiveByCruising. Blood Cancer United aims to cure blood cancer and improve patients’ quality of life.
“(GiveByCruising’s) unique model — turning every vacation booked into direct support for urgently needed research — reflects a powerful passion for helping patients live longer, fuller lives,” Powell said. “We hope this inspires other companies to imagine how their business can also create a lasting impact.”
GiveByCruising’s offices are located at 3447 Pelham Road in Greenville. For more information, visit jkopchinski.dreamvacations.com/home-page.
