Does anyone know anything about being a bone marrow donor?!
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Hi,
First you need to register and get screened. this starts with some forms, questionnaire and health screen then a simple blood test. Besides Marrow donation, you can also donate "peripheral" blood cells - such as platelets, stem cells and plasma; these help other types of cancers and blood problems.
There are a number of "factors" in the blood that make you a match for someone. Your information will be put in a large data base and if someone needs a marrow transplant ( blood cancers are a big cause to need one) you will get called to go in and make a donation if you match a bunch of these factors, the more factors you have in common the better chance the transplant will be successful.
In advance; THANK YOU it is really scary to need a transplant and they put your info into the 'puter and no matches come out so you wait and hope for a match. The more people in the database, the more chances that if you need a transplant it will be available.
I am very fortunate that I don't need one yet [have Myeloma]; but if that day comes, you may be my match.
Good luck,
Jewells
27 month survivor and still going strong
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