Become a Bone Marrow Donor

Patients and Families - BMT resources and information

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The National Marrow Donor Program is running a Marrowthon. They are offering free kits to add yourself to the National Bone Marrow Donor Registry. Usually they are $50, but until tomorrow, there is no cost! You could be the one who saves someones life through your donation.

I signed up today in honor of a mother I know who is awaiting a donor match. Melissa has non-responsive, non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. She has undergone multiple treatments, none of which have been completely successful. Melissa is 32 year old loving, joyful wife of 9 years (almost!)to Doug, a surgeon, and mother to Caleb (5), Lauren (3), and Audrey (1 1/2). We are praying daily for God to perform a miracle in their lives. A bone marrow donor match may just be that miracle!
Here is an excerpt from the blog Melissa's sisters are keeping for her:

Out of the 7 million people in our country on the registry, only ONE appears right now to be a possible match for her. And that's not even definite yet. Her nurse just told me that yesterday. THAT is why it's so important that I get tons more people to join for her sake right now.
Most people hesitate to become a donor because they think either--
a) it's painful (No pain involved--it's a simple cheek swab.)
b) it's complicated (It's 30 seconds on the Internet. We easily spend 30 minutes just here on blogs or email.)
Here is the SIMPLE process:
1) Go to www.marrow.org
2) Click on "Join Registry"
3) It will ask you to agree to terms, give your name, email address, create a password, and give your mailing address.
4) They will mail you a cheek swab kit. You collect the cells and mail it back in.

Once they receive and test your sample, it AUTOMATICALLY goes into the system. Then it is immediately checked to see if it is a match. If you have any questions at all, call 1-800- Marrow2. They are very kind and helpful there. Feel free to message me too.

The registration process usually costs $50 for that initial testing, but is FREE now until June 22nd.There will never be any other cost for you. If you are a match for my sister, her insurance will cover it.

Please take a moment to do this for my sister...for her husband who is so in love with her...for her 3 small kids who need their mommy...for the rest of us, as her family and friends, who want nothing more but to have more years with her.

Take a moment to visit the sight and sign up. Maybe you've never done it because of the cost, but even that hurdle has been removed. Maybe you have some questions pertaining to your health that you are unsure as to whether you can donate. All of your questions will be answered through the registration process. Take a few minutes and register. One day, it may be you needing a donation, and you'll be eternally grateful for those who have registered.