Dear Friends:
Thanks for letting me take a moment away from crafting tutorials to let you know of something.
I’ve long considered signing up to be on the bone marrow registry. Because of a previous illness, I can’t donate blood, but am not excluded from donating marrow. I’ve put it off for some time because of the expense of the test kit and cheek swab, but there is a short window of time to sign up for free. Says an online acquaintance of mine:
Donating bone marrow is one of the most rewarding things I have experienced. I couldn’t believe I matched someone and that it resulted in a transplant for someone with a 10% chance of survival without it. Please consider joining the registry. Chances you will match a recipient are very rare, but it could save a life!
Normally, there is a fee to join, but this will be waived in September if you choose one of the two options below.
To learn more about the program in general: http://www.marrow.org/
To join the registry:
- September 11, 2008 is the NASCAR Foundation Blood and Marrow Drive. Race tracks nationwide have teamed up with the National Marrow Donor Program to save lives. Please visit the NASCAR Foundation’s website to find participating tracks
- If you cannot attend the NASCAR Foundation Drive, please join the National Marrow Donor Program Registry for FREE on-line from September 7 – 22. They will send you a test kit which consists of a cheek swab. Normally, the cost for the on-line test kit is $52 but between September 7 – 22, NASCARFoundation is sponsoring and providing the kit for FREE. Please visit, www.marrow.org and under EVENTS, click on “NASCAR Foundation Blood and Marrow Drive” and then click on “Join Online Now”.
More information:
Life. It’s in you.
Join the donor Registry and give hope to patients everywhere. To help you save a life, the Nationwide Foundation and the Hendrick Marrow Program are covering costs for volunteers who join at a participating track or online during a special campaign September 7 - 22, 2008.
Join at a race track near you.
Visit The NASCAR Foundation to find participating tracks: http://foundation.nascar.com/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?&pid=201&srcid=183
Can’t make it to a track? Join the NMDP Registry for free here September 7-22. Join online now.
Want to do more to make a difference? Your financial contribution helps add donors to the NMDP Registry and assists patients financially. Make a financial contribution now.
In Love and Light,
Melissa
September 11th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
That is great Melissa. I am an organ and blood donor. However I am unsure if we have a such an organisation here in Malaysia. I’ll make some enquiries.
November 30th, 2008 at 11:42 pm
thanks for putting the word out there. i never knew there was a fee, i guess its different in some places. I recieved a bone marrow transplant that saved my life in 2006 at the age of 23. Ive met my donor and we get along really well. i dont know what i wouldve done without him. because of him, im finally heathy again. my donor donated with his whole school and so far 7 people have been called to donate.