Attending a Live Marrow Donor Drive

Registering at a live marrow donor drive is easier then you think. This video illustrates the 3 simple steps involved when you choose to register in person. This page on the "Be The Match" website has a zip code locater. Just enter your zip code and it will show you upcoming drives scheduled in your area:

http://www.marrow.org/JOIN/Join_in_Person/index.html

Did you know that once you join the National Marrow Donor Program you could be the match and save a life in the U.S. or anywhere in the world?

Each day approximately 6000 Americans of all ages and ethnicities are searching for a live saving marrow match. 70% of those in need will not find a match in time. The simple truth is that for those who do find a match, most will find it within their own ethnic group. Here are some statistics about the registry: Caucasians have an 80% chance of finding a match while minorities or those of mixed ethnicities have anywhere from a 30% chance or less depending on their ethnic background. Currently 73% of the registry is Caucasian. That means there are 5.4 million Caucasians in the registry. When my Japanese American cousin was diagnosed with a blood cancer I was stunned to learn there are fewer then 33,000 Japanese Americans in the registry. All minority groups are underrepresented.

Because of this there is no charge for tissue typing for ethnic minorities or people of mixed ethnicities. Due to a critical need for more minorities to join the registry a federal grant covers their tissue typing cost. For Caucasians the standard fee is $52 but in many states this fee is reduced to $25 by another federal grant and in some states is free due to fundraising, insurance or sponsored drives.

To order the business cards you see in the video please visit: http://helpingtami.org/asian_stem_cell_postcards.html

Thank you for watching this video. If you want to learn more about the donor program, the donation process, how to register or help spread the word please visit http://helpingtami.org

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• bone marrow
• stem cells
• marrow donor drives
• leukemia
• anemia
• blood cancers