The lives of people with aplastic anemia, MDS, PNH, leukemia, and other life-threatening diseases often depend on finding a match in a bone marrow registry. Donors of all races and ethnic backgrounds are needed.
The
National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) has arranged for more than 33,000 transplants since 1987 and facilitates more than 4,300 transplants a year.
Now the NMDP is offering a free chance for U.S. residents to join the national bone marrow registry, which is now called the
Be The Match Registry. The registration drive, called the
Be The Match Marrowthon, ends June 22 or when 46,000 new members have registered. (The program is also subject to the availability of donated funding).
Joining the registry is simple:
- Confirm that you meet the requirements: age 18-60, in good health, willing to donate marrow to a patient in need, and are a U.S. or Puerto Rico resident. Note: U.S. military members can join too, but through a separate procedure.
- Fill out an online form.
- Get a cheek swab kit in the mail.
- Follow the cheek swabbing instructions.
- Send the kit back.
They will pay the cost (approximately $100) for processing.
For details about joining and to get started, see
Be the Match, Join Now.