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Sunday, November 8, 2009
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Every year more than 30,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with life threatening blood diseases, such as leukemia. For many of these patients, a marrow or stem cell transplant is the only chance for a cure. However, such a transplant is possible only when the patient and donor have matching tissue types. Nearly 30% of the patients in need will find a matched donor within their immediate family. The other 70% of patients must search for an unrelated donor. At any given time, there is an average of 6,000 patients searching the National Marrow Donor Program Registry.
On Sunday November 8, 2009, there will be a bone marrow registration drive at the Mad River Valley Ambulance Service building in Waitsfield from 12:00pm-4:00pm. The drive is being organized by Daniel Lee for his Eagle Scout Project. This is the first bone marrow registration drive that has ever been in the Mad River Valley. A bone marrow registration drive is completely different than a blood drive and very simple. At the drive, you will not actually donate anything, just put your DNA on file, which will not be shared with anyone else. You will only be asked to donate your bone marrow if someone in need is compatible. If there is a match, you will not be forced to donate, it is entirely optional. The way to get on the Marrow Donor Registry is a simple cheek swab. To be eligible to register you have to be in good general health, and between the ages of 18 and 60. Bone marrow is just as useful as blood, and is harder to find a match for. The more people on file, the larger chance there is of finding a match. The local Boy Scouts of Troop 700 will be working under the supervision of Kerry Ellis, and other staff of Rutland Regional Medical Center. Kerry Ellis works with an organization called Be The Match, to help get more people on file. If you have any questions, you can email dlee@accessvt.com, or call 496-3659.
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