Bone Marrow Registry – How to Become a Donor
by Rachel Paxton
It used to be if you wanted to become a bone marrow donor, you had to have a surgical procedure done to remove the bone marrow for the recipient.
Not anymore! More than 90% of donations today are done through the blood system. No surgery, and no pain.
To become a possible bone marrow donor, all you have to do is go to the Be the Match Registry. Fill out the registration form, and they will send you a cheek swab kit in the mail. After they receive your kit back they will put your name on the registry if you are determined to be a good candidate.
A bone marrow match is much more complex than a regular blood donor match. The tissues have to match exactly, which means that you only have an approximately 1 in 4,000 chance of actually becoming a donor.
Joining this registry will help someone who is in need of a bone marrow transplant. It could save their life. My brother-in-law donated his bone marrow to a 2-yr-old boy, and the transplant saved the boy’s life. The boy is now 8 years old.
This subject is near and dear to my heart…my mother passed away last year from complications resulting from leukemia. Her illness showed me how important it is for people to take the time to share their blood, platelets, and bone marrow with others. If can make the difference between life and death.
Rachel Paxton is a freelance writer and mom of five. For resources for the Christian family, including parenting, toddler and preschool activities, homeschooling, family traditions, and more, visit http://www.Christian-Parent.com
