National Marrow Donor Program

I know a lot of you have seen this on my FB page, or on NPR.org, but I wanted to post it here, too.

I came across this story online the other day, and while ANY story about ANY sick kid just pulls at the heart strings, this one nearly knocked me to the ground b/c it could just as easily be MY child. The little girl is 1/2 Indian & 1/2 Caucasian (dad is mainly German and English) and they're having trouble finding a match for a bone marrow transplant b/c the genetic pool is much smaller for mixed race patients.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...ryId=121910707

Please consider registering -- whether your mixed race or not. Registration is free through this week (and rumored to be free next year as well). My registration auto-filled with a promo code, but if you need one, use MAYA or MARROW4MAYA .

www.marrow.org

I've been emailing with her dad (I said I would have my kids tested if need be -- I'd only wish someone would do the same for me if the situation were reversed). He's truly grateful for any exposure the story gets, and is also grateful for each person who registers whether they may be a match for Maya or not.

Oh - and - it just occurred to me that Sam (Maya's dad) could be a member HERE as well. Maya's mom is a physician.

Again, too close to home NOT to try to help.

[PrincessFiona]

I hope that they are able to find a match! What a devastating position to be in. I can't register, so it seems hypocritical for me to encourage others to do so, but if you can, please do!

Jenn, do they have a caring bridge page?

Kris

I hope that they are able to find a match! What a devastating position to be in. I can't register, so it seems hypocritical for me to encourage others to do so, but if you can, please do!

Jenn, do they have a caring bridge page?

Kris

Uh ... Kris ... you have a legitimate reason not to register. You would if you could - encourage away!

They do. I think I saw it mentioned in the comments section of the story. I'll get the link and post it here.

[poky]

I registered YEARS ago, and had forgotten about it. I just went to the site and submitted my updated contact information. Thanks for the reminder!

[bokelley]

I am going to paste this on my FB account also!!

I am going to have to go and have a look at this. I am Canadian so I don't know if I can join... but I did put this on my twitter and requested for it to be Retweeted. Let's hope the word gets out. Breaks my heart

[TulipsAndSunscreen]

I have always wanted to register. Thanks for posting! I have a question though - how do they take your blood? Oh maybe I should just go do it and not ask annoying questions!

[TulipsAndSunscreen]

I have always wanted to register. Thanks for posting! I have a question though - how do they take your blood? Oh maybe I should just go do it and not ask annoying questions!

They send you a kit so you can register. Will someone provide the link so I can post it to my FB?

[ladymoreta]

I'm not sure how it works, but when I signed up, I did it when I donated blood. You could probably ask at your local blood bank.

[Auspicious]

If you sign up online they won't take your blood--they'll send you a kit to do a cheek swab and then you send it back to them.

They send you a kit so you can register. Will someone provide the link so I can post it to my FB?

When you register online it should give you the option to post an "I JOINED" sticker-thing to your FB or Twitter account. If it doesn't, let me know and I'll send you the link to mine.

And yes, Julie is right - if you register at www.marrow.org they'll send you a kit to swab your cheek. Remember - it's free through the end of this week.

Thanks for posting this. We have a dear friend who is going to need a bone marrow transplant, and I've been thinking about registering whenever I think of him, but hadn't gotten around to looking into it. The link was exactly the impetus I needed.

[Meenah]

I'm registered, well over 15 years ago. They just had me update my contact info this year.

I saw this on FB but thanks for putting it here too Jenn. This procedure is close to my heart. I can't give blood but am eligible for this, so I signed right up.