You could be their source of healing and hope.
Registering in your country's marrow/stem cell registry is the first step towards saving a life, any life ... Are you ready?
Marrow/Stem Cell Transplants are a CURE for over 85 different blood cancers and disorders including Leukemia, Lymphoma, Aplastic Anemia, Sickle Cell Disease and Thalassemia. Worldwide a patient is diagnosed with a blood cancer/disorder every 3 minutes.
2039
81
13
The Extended Family Donor Search (EFDS) by Marrow Mates enhances donor recruitment for blood cancer patients, especially those of diverse ethnic backgrounds. By utilizing genetic genealogy sites like 23&Me, Ancestry.com, and MyHeritage, the initiative identifies unknown genetic relatives for patients, expanding the pool of potential donors. This approach addresses challenges faced by traditional donor recruitment methods, offering a more targeted, digitally executed, and globally reaching process to find genetic matches for patients in need of marrow transplants.
Make a life-changing impact today by joining the registry! Your unique genetic makeup could be the cure someone with blood cancer needs. By becoming a donor, you're not only giving hope to patients in desperate need of a match, but also broadening the horizons for those with limited donor options due to their ethnic backgrounds. The process is simple, but the difference you could make is monumental.
How can I get involved with Marrow Mates and support their mission to diversify the marrow donor registry for blood cancer patients?
Getting involved with Marrow Mates is easy and essential to help support blood cancer patients in need. Here are some ways you can contribute:
What is a marrow or stem cell transplant, and why is it important for blood cancer patients?
Healthy blood cells are needed to live and when diseases or cancer of the blood (leukemia, lymphoma, sickle cell are a few examples) cannot function properly, a transplant from a healthy donor is not just a treatment option, but can be a patient's CURE.
A transplant takes place when an individual (donor) who shares nearly identical cells to a searching patient, agrees to donate their healthy blood forming stem cells. The patient (recipient) undergoes high doses of chemotherapy to remove their cancerous cells and the body is prepared to accept the donor's cells. On transplant day, the donor's cells are collected at a medical facility then transported to the recipient where they receive these healthy cells via intravenous (IV) catheter.
How can I become a marrow donor, and what's the process involved?
Is there an age limit for becoming a marrow donor?
As younger donors have fewer health complications and more active stem cells, those aged 18-40 are best suited based on clinical statistics. But once on a registry, a potential donor can be considered and is eligible to donate until age 60.
Are there any costs associated with registering as a marrow donor?
No. All expenses related to your stem cell/marrow donation are covered and paid for by either the registry or the searching patients’ insurance. There are zero out of pocket costs to the donor and your healthcare is of utmost importance to all involved. After all, if you’re notified that you’re a perfect match for a patient and you agree to donate – You’re a hero to a stranger in need.