How to register to be a bone marrow donor?
in
I read up on the qualifications and I seem to be able to do it. Are there any national bone marrow donor places (for a lack of better words)? Would I have to pay to get tested or donated? I really want to do this but I don't know how to go about it.
Answer:
It is called a "Bone Marrow Registry" and it is best to register at the one in the area you live in. The easy way to find it is just call the main phone number for your local county or university hospital and ask for the "cancer/oncology social worker" they can point you to the right place to go and give you the contact info you need.
Good for you to do this.
How to donate bone marrow to save a life?
in
I saw a little girl on TV who needs a bone marrow transplant. She is black/mixed race, therefore it is very difficult to find a match. I'll admit I'm a chicken when it comes to this sort of thing, but if it's not a painful or risky procedure for me I would be willing to donate.
It breaks my heart to see this little girl so ill when I could potentially be a match. Have you, or do you know someone who has done this? If so, how painful is it and what would be the risks to me as a middle-aged donor?
Answer:
Its only painful if you have to DONATE the marrow. First they check to see if you are a MATCH which is a now cheek swab- no needles- its so easy!
Then if you are a match, they will do further testing to see. If it comes to actually donating marrow, its more complicated and can be painful but not that bad- totally managed with pain meds.
To find a way to register with the national bone marrow registry near you go, here:
http://www.marrow.org/HELP/Join_the_Donor_Registry/Join_in_Person/index.html
Speaking as a mother of a little boy whose life was saved by someone willing to do this, PLEASE register. you may not be a match for this little girl, but you could be for someone else some day.
