Top 10 Reasons Why You Should Join the Bone Marrow Registry

#1 IT’S A SIMPLE PROCESS WITH A BIG REWARD
It takes less than 10 minutes to join the registry. By joining the Registry you are committed to saving a life. To join you’ll fill out an information form and send a swab to the lab to be tested. Once you’re on the Registry you’ll wait to receive a call when/if you match with a patient in need.

#2 THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE YOU COULD MATCH
There are over 14,000 people a year who suffer from a blood cancer that can be cured with a bone marrow transplant.

#3 MOST PEOPLE ARE ASKED TO DONATE STEM CELLS, WHICH IS SIMILAR TO DONATING BLOOD
Almost 80% of bone marrow donations happen via a non-surgical, relatively painless outpatient procedure called a Peripheral Blood Stem Cell (PBSC) donation. Basically, a machine draws your blood from one arm, extracts the cells it needs, and returns the remaining blood back to your body through your other arm. You’re awake through the entire procedure. Most patients spend the day catching up on their Netflix queue and resting.

#4 YOUNGER PEOPLE ARE THE CURE
Younger adults between the ages of 18 and 44 more often lead to successful transplants. Sometimes it feels like you’re too young to make a difference in the world, but in this case doctors are significantly more likely to select a younger bone marrow donor to save a life.

#5 ETHNICALLY DIVERSE COMMUNITIES ARE UNDER-REPRESENTED ON THE REGISTRY
People of African American, Asian, and/or Latino descent are heavily underrepresented in the registry. It is much more difficult for patients with a diverse ethnic heritage to find a matching donor.  There just aren’t enough donors from these communities currently in the registry.  It is literally like looking for a needle in a haystack. You might be the needle someone is praying for.

#6 YOU WANT TO BE A GOOD SAMARITAN
Maybe you want to help someone you don’t know.  You just want to contribute to make the world a better place and hopefully save someone else’s life. You know that a cure exists with someone like you who is willing to donate their bone marrow.

#7 YOU MIGHT KNOW SOMEONE WHO NEEDS A BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT
Maybe you want to help someone you do know.  You have a family member or close friend who is suffering from a life-threatening blood cancer like leukemia or lymphoma and all they need is a matching bone marrow donation in order to live.

#8 IN MEMORY OF SOMEONE WHO HAD CANCER
You knew someone who was suffering from a blood cancer and they couldn’t find a matching donor.  You wish you could have been there to help. You realize that there simply aren’t enough lifesavers registered who are willing to donate their bone marrow, and you’re committed to your loved one’s memory.

#9 TO SET A POSITIVE EXAMPLE
Maybe you want to ask all of your friends to register, but you realize that you have to do it first.  Do your friends often ask you for advice?  Do you consider yourself a natural leader?  Register to become a life saving bone marrow donor and ask your friends to do the same.

#10 BECAUSE WHY NOT?
You know it is the right thing to do. What’s really stopping you from saving a life?