I signed up for the National Bone Marrow Registry

I've been thinking about doing this and while at work there was a public service ad about a blood drive and bone marrow registry. One of my co-workers said this was just a few hundred feet down the road.

So after work I had to get gas and then I swung by the place.

Just a small questionaire and a four cheek swabs later......

The lady said I should be on the registry in a couple of weeks and I stay active until I reach age 61.

So we will see if I'm ever needed.

Anyone else on this registry??

Yep, I'm on it! The idea of having to actually donate bone marrow scares the out of me, but I figure if they ever call, it means I'm a match for someone, and will directly be helping to save someone's life.

A year or so ago there was a local woman who needed a transplant. Because of her native ancestry and was having trouble finding a match.

I thought about it and I did check it out. But I cannot donate because of my rheumatoid arthritis.

I had actually never heard of this before. Kudos to those who are on it!

Wow, that's great!! I've thought about it but I don't know if I could be brave enough to actually donate, don't they drill right in to your bone? Eek! I really do want to donate blood though, I keep hoping I'll see a sign for a blood drive nearby.

I can't even handle needles honnestly.

I am sad because I am such a scaredy cat, but I admire those of you who volunteer your pain and time and consideration to help another person.

I'm on it. Bone marrow donations aren't so bad anymore - they collect the cells out of your blood, if I remember correctly. No needles into bone anymore. But I've had a bone marrow biopsy too, and I don't really know why everyone makes such a big deal out of them. The only reason I was in a lot of pain was because I was stupid and worked 13 hours the next day, even though my boss kept telling me I could go home. Otherwise, it wasn't really that bad.

I'm probably ineligible now - I have weird platelet levels, so that might rule out my marrow being used.

Originally Posted by MonaxLisa

Wow, that's great!! I've thought about it but I don't know if I could be brave enough to actually donate, don't they drill right in to your bone? Eek! I really do want to donate blood though, I keep hoping I'll see a sign for a blood drive nearby.

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All you need to do initially is provide a cheek swab. To be a match is incredibly rare, and like Helen said - they do secondary testing IF you're a match at some point in the future. If you do get that far, you could probably suck up the pain and fear knowing that the person waiting for your marrow is going through so much worse

Good for you Gail!

About 6 or 7 of us from work signed up for the registry and did the cheek swab testing, when the daughter of one of our surgeons was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. None of us have ever been matched, but it's a nice feeling, knowing that we may be able to help some body some day.

Elena has been in remission for nearly 15 years. They harvested her own stem cells to infuse after the chemo and radiation. She even gave birth to a beautiful and perfect little girl three years ago (no fertility treatments at all....they assumed she was sterile from all the chemo and radiation!)

So strange that this thread came out today as only an hour ago a friend told me that she may be needing a bone marrow transplant.

Bless everyone who has volunteered!!!!!

Wow Gail, good for you!

That's awesome Gail!!! (and the rest of you who are registered!)

I wish I could register as well, but I don't meet the requirements because of some health issues. I am signed up to be an organ donor though when I pass away.