Are you a bone marrow donor?

[Kim in TN]

I'm registered

 

[KathyTX]

I've been registered for several years. I'd donate in a heartbeat if ever found to be a match for someone who needs it!

 

[roque]

for those of you who are registered . I am a double transplant recepient (sp?) and without the donor ....well...u know. So thank you. Oh, I recv'd a kidney and a pancreas.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I went and checked out the registry to see if I'm eligible and I'm not - I figured that would happen =( I can't give blood, either.

But, we are talking about hosting a drive again at our church soon so maybe others will register.

 

[amyy]

Aimeedyan,

Is there a lot involved in hosting a drive?

I work in a school district where several people have various types of cancer. Someone suggest we participate in the Relay for Life to raise money. After reading this thread last night I sent out an email suggesting we do a blood drive (which will also identify platelet donors) and maybe host a bone marrow drive. I haven't really gotten much response on either the blood drive or platelet. No one in the district is in need of bone marrow but I wanted to put all the ideas out there.

I am not on the registry but would like to be. I have never been aware of a drive in my area. I have donated blood and platelets.

 

[TinkerbEllnor]

this deserves a bump

A mom from my son's school is looking for a bone marrow donor match. I don't even know her but I was touched by her story. They are having a drive in her name in my area this weekend that I plan to attend.

And amyy, I know this is a year later, but there is information on hosting a drive on this website
http://www.marrow.org/HELP/Join_the_Donor_Registry/index.html

 

[VirtuallyMe]

I signed up a long time ago when they were having a bone marrow drive in my area (years and years ago). I have never been called to donate, but if they found someone I could help I would do it in a heartbeat.
I just wonder if a lot of people are or not.

I signed up this past January... figured it could only help someone.
I've never been called- but I have a young cousin who is worlds better thanks to a bone marrow transplant from a stranger.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

I'm registered, but I would have to think about donating if I was ever deemed a match.

My DD was tentatively diagnosed with Leukemia 7 years ago, but after testing, it turned out not to be Leukemia but a bone disease, which is manageable. But that prompted me to register, altho I've never been called. In the days after we were told DD probably had Leukemia, I was overwhelmed by the thought that if she needed a bone marrow transplant, what if the very person who could help her wasn't registered.

 

[Slem liten katt]

I am on the list and would absolutely donate if I were matched.

 

[nannerbadnanner]

DH and I both registered this year in honor of a friend's 3 YO son who died of leukemia last year. He did receive a bone marrow transplant, but unfortunately, it was not successful.

 

[tink_n_pooh]

I'm on the registry but I have not yet been called. I would do it in a heartbeat

 

[Took]

DH and I are registered and would willingly donate if someone needed it. We've not been called although we registered 8 years ago.

 

[LisaB]

I have been on the list since 1990 but never have been called, I went on the list when my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer

 

[MyDizneyBoyz]

DH and I are registered and would donate without a second thought if asked.

 

[cats7494]

I tried to sign up last month but since I had back surgery in April, I have to wait until 2010 before I can possibly donate. If called, I would donate in a heartbeat!

 

[chisnpeke]

Is going through the national registry the only way to donate? I am on the website and it says there are no drives in my area or within 100 miles. I know you can do it online and order the kit but I would just prefer to do it in person. This is something I've been thinking about doing for a while.

 

[imabrat]

Unfortunately, no.
1) I am underage.
2) I've had cancer.
=( If I could, I definitely would. I'll do anything I can to help another. I can't imagine what it would feel like to need a BMT, but not have a donor because the match isn't on the registry.
It's a bummer, but I have to thank you all that are on the registry! I have several friends from the hospital that are having/have had bone marrow transplants. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

 

[honugirl]

I'm a bone marrow donor. Not sure if when all my health stuff is said and done if I'll be eligible, but we'll see. I'd donate if I could.

 

[ShannonRT]

Like many others here, I also registered several years ago at a drive in my area. DD was a baby and she's almost 13 now, so that's how long it's been. Six or seven years ago, I was called for futher testing based on being a preliminary match for a female patient suffering from leukemia.

I was asked to drive to Nashville (2.5 hours away) to Vanderbilt University Hospital for further testing and counseling. It was an all-day event. I had an EKG, Chest x-ray and many different blood tests. I met with an anesthesiologist and a psychologist. I was willingly ready to donate.

A few weeks later, the transplant coordinator called with the bad news that the patient had taken a turn for the worse and was no longer eligible for a transplant. Apparently she was elderly (early 60's I think) and was right on the cut-off for transplant eligibility for age already. With her declining condition, the transplant was cancelled and she passed away.

I did receive an anonymous letter from her daughter several months after the fact. It was a very good feeling and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

My best friend had leukemia when she was in high school and survived due to the generosity of a donor from the Bone Marrow Registry. I would love to register, but I don't think I can. I was recently diagnosed with prediabetes, and am seeing a doctor at the end of the month because based on my readings I believe that I have full blown diabetes. I don't know that they would accept my bone marrow.