S/o bone marrow donation...

[punkyjulster]

I signed up about 19 years ago when I was in the military. It was a blood few back then. I need to look into it to update my info. They would be able to find me since I've moved about 20 times since then.

[lolaburns]

*like*!!! Collection for getting into the registry is super easy, too. Marrow.org mails you the registration kit, you do a cheek swab and send it in. Super simple.


Sent from the bottom of a Clorox bottle.

[punkyjulster]

I don't even remember who I registered with or if it would still be active.

[mrsjaymay]

Jan 29, 2013 9:47:46 GMT -5 @therealmc said:

Because of my past, this is something I am very passionate about and I strongly encourage every single one of you to become a donor, especially if you have mixed ethnic background as it is very difficult to find matches the more mixed you are.

To sign up only takes a cheek swab. There is blood test for further cell typing if you are selected and accept. There are two methods of actual donation. The first one is the most common and it is called peripheral blood stem cell collection. The donor is given a series of shots called colony growth stimulating factor. This causes your bone marrow to overproduce stem cells, which then 'spill out' into your veins. Your blood is collected through an apheresis machine that takes your blood and separates the plasma and puts it back into another vein. The other components are collected into a bag and is frozen for the recipient. The shots can cause soreness in your ass area but it isn't horrible.

The other and much less common method of collection is under general anastesia (sp? Sorry). This method is rarely used and usually only if the shots do not work.

Soooooo, it really is NOT difficult to donate. Go to www.bethematch.org and sign up now! Thank you!

I love this post! This is great information!

[Deleted]

I did mine through DKMS Americas as part of a local drive for a child and it was so simple!

[ashleydl83]

I thought the process was a lot more intense. The only thing I've ever seen is when they show it on TV shows (great resource, I know) and have people going under anesthesia. I didn't know it was so simple! I'll definitely be registering. Thank you for the info.

[dixeedeluxe]

Jan 29, 2013 10:09:50 GMT -5 ashleydl83 said:

I thought the process was a lot more intense. The only thing I've ever seen is when they show it on TV shows (great resource, I know) and have people going under anesthesia. I didn't know it was so simple! I'll definitely be registering. Thank you for the info.

yeah, i think we get at least 3 weeks off for being a bone marrow doner.  so i was under the impression it was a more intense recovery.  i never thought it was an option as a parent of an infant and a toddler. 

[rainbowchip]

I assume you can't donate while bf right?

[orriskitten]

Is there a resource of who cannot be a donor? I have a lot of research to do in terms of what diabetics can and cannot do. I am interested in signing up, though!

ETA: Found it on the site. Looks like I'm not eligible or it is highly unlikely that I will be.