Save a Life like Mike’s

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to save someone’s life?

A simple cheek swab is all that is needed to determine if you could be the one to save one of the thousands of patients in need of a bone marrow transplant.  You’ll only be contacted if you’re a match for someone in need.

Click here to watch a short video that explains why your commitment is so important: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azGmJ7wQVko

The need for diversity is very important; of the 8 million members on the registry, only 10% are Hispanic, 7% are African American and 7% are Asian.

Tissue typing is an expensive process, so financial contributions of any size are greatly appreciated, and you can make a donation right here on this page.

Below is more information about joining the registry:

REGISTRY GUIDELINES:

To be a member of the registry, all you need is to:

-       Be between the ages of 18 and 60.

-       Be willing to donate to any patient in need.

-       Meet the basic health guidelines.

If you are unable to join, please consider becoming a volunteer to help recruit members, or make a financial contribution to help keep the registry growing.

Health Guidelines:

The conditions below would prevent you from joining the Be the Match Registry:

-       HIV or risk of HIV

-       Hepatitis or risk for Hepatitis

-       Most forms of heart disease or cancer

-       Chronic lung disease

-       Diabetes requiring insulin or diabetes-related health issues

-       Diseases that affect blood clotting or bleeding

-       Recent back surgery, or severe or ongoing back problems

-       Autoimmune/neurological disorders such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis

-       Being an organ or marrow transplant recipient

-       Significant obesity

IF YOU MATCH A PATIENT:

Below are the steps to donation if you are identified as a match for someone.  

TWO WAYS TO DONATE

The patient’s doctor requests one of two types of donation, depending on what is best for the patient.

PBSC donation

Peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) donation is the most common form of donating today.  This is a non-surgical, out-patient procedure.  For five days before donation, the donor receives daily injections of a drug that increases blood-forming cells in the bloodstream.  On the fifth day, the donor’s blood is removed through a needle in one arm and passed through a machine that separates out the blood-forming cells.  The remaining blood is returned to the donor through the other arm.

Marrow donation

Marrow donation is a surgical, usually out-patient procedure.  While the donor us under anesthesia, the doctor uses needles to withdraw liquid marrow from the back of the pelvic bone.  The donor’s marrow completely replaces itself within four to six weeks.  After donation, marrow donors will have slight soreness, but they are back to their usual routine in one to seven days.

Please feel free to contact our Be The Match representative, Tracy Julian or TJulian@nmdp.org if you have any questions. We hope you will take a few minutes to attend the drive and help save a life.

Thank you!

Be the one to save a life. Be The Match