"You're the only one who can make a difference."
Rayan is a 3 year old boy who was recently diagnosed with Leukemia. His family is tirelessly looking for a potential bone marrow donor for him because that is the only way that he will be able to survive. He is one of many that need a bone marrow transplant in order to walk and live on. I actually grew up with someone who was in a wheelchair most of his life. At his high school graduation, he walked for the first time since I had known him (at least 10 years). It was incredible, touching and just simply beautiful.
I helped organize two drives last month with the help of DKMS Americas and both were very successful. Though test results haven't come back, we are hoping that we save a life somewhere! What I wanted to talk to you guys about it...are you registered bone marrow donors? Are your family members and friends registered? What questions do they have that prevents them becoming registered? I want to answer some common questions that people usually have. I want to try to convince you to become registered...let's see if it works!
After saying all of that, I don't want you to think I'm heartless. I do understand why people don't become registered, but I'm still encouraging it. More than that--I totally understand if you cannot become registered. If you yourself have a medical condition, then no one can ever make you feel guilty about it because that's just not fair. If you are underweight (cough cough...) gain some weight!! If you are anemic, start eating green veggies & taking pills! Increase that iron and save a life! Anyway, here are the questions and answers if you're interested.
I challenge you to convince ten people within the next month to become registered in order to save lives. Trust me, I'll ask you to see if you've done it! Let me know if you are capable and confident enough to accept the challenge!
**All of my posts won't be so serious, promise! These are just some things I really wanted to talk about. You can always let me know what you'd like me to talk about =]
Rayan is a 3 year old boy who was recently diagnosed with Leukemia. His family is tirelessly looking for a potential bone marrow donor for him because that is the only way that he will be able to survive. He is one of many that need a bone marrow transplant in order to walk and live on. I actually grew up with someone who was in a wheelchair most of his life. At his high school graduation, he walked for the first time since I had known him (at least 10 years). It was incredible, touching and just simply beautiful.
I helped organize two drives last month with the help of DKMS Americas and both were very successful. Though test results haven't come back, we are hoping that we save a life somewhere! What I wanted to talk to you guys about it...are you registered bone marrow donors? Are your family members and friends registered? What questions do they have that prevents them becoming registered? I want to answer some common questions that people usually have. I want to try to convince you to become registered...let's see if it works!
After saying all of that, I don't want you to think I'm heartless. I do understand why people don't become registered, but I'm still encouraging it. More than that--I totally understand if you cannot become registered. If you yourself have a medical condition, then no one can ever make you feel guilty about it because that's just not fair. If you are underweight (cough cough...) gain some weight!! If you are anemic, start eating green veggies & taking pills! Increase that iron and save a life! Anyway, here are the questions and answers if you're interested.
- Do I donate my bone marrow the day I register? False: yes. True: NO! What happens the day you register is this: you are given the chance to ask questions if you have any, you then fill out a 1 page application which includes your contact information and such things. Next, you swab your cheek with cotton swabs for DNA tests. That's it.
- What happens next? Your swabs are tested to see if you match anyone. This takes 3-6 weeks. There are 10 elements checked for a match with DKMS. With other organizations, they check 6 elements and then do blood work later if you do match someone. Either way, you do not donate unless there is a specific match found.
- Does the procedure hurt? I am going to put a link here that will help you learn about the procedure. But here's something I want to emphasize: at most, it hurts for a week and it feels like you've been working out too much. Seriously, you can deal with it if you realize that you just saved a life, right?
- How do I prepare to donate? A nurse will come to YOU wherever you are for 4 days prior to the one-day procedure and give you injections. Yes, needles. I know a lot of you squirm when you hear that, but once again-you are saving a life. Doesn't that make the needles seem like nothing?
- How long do I have to commit? How long am I on the registry? You are on the national registry until your 61st birthday. You can call to get off of the list whenever you want; it just takes a quick phone call.
- Do I have to donate if they call me saying I match someone? The legal answer is no. My answer is yes. Because once a match is found, they start preparing the patient for the procedure. They find out that they will live on, so why would you back out and crush their hopes? Just saying.
- How long does donating take? It usually takes one day. To be specific, it usually takes 6-8 hours.
- Will I get to meet my patient? After a year, with the consent of both the donor and the patient, yes you can meet your patient!
Here is the website that I go for questions: www.dkmsamericas.org. Of course, there are many websites out there and many registries, but just a quick last few facts that I learned before signing off...
The chance for a Caucasian patient to find a match is between 40-80%
The chance for a minority to find a match is approximately 1.7%
Make a change. Increase those numbers.
I challenge you to convince ten people within the next month to become registered in order to save lives. Trust me, I'll ask you to see if you've done it! Let me know if you are capable and confident enough to accept the challenge!
**All of my posts won't be so serious, promise! These are just some things I really wanted to talk about. You can always let me know what you'd like me to talk about =]
I accept your challenge!! :)
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