appeal to friends in the NPHC and all GLOs

[nittanyalum]

After a very difficult couple days, I'm putting out an appeal on behalf of my dear friend whose husband's leukemia has just progressed into the "blast phase"; he's been admitted for 4 to 6 weeks of daily chemotherapy.

He will need a bone marrow transplant. As an African American male, he is at a disadvantage because the pool of donors is statistically much smaller for minorities. Tissue types need to match for a transplant to be successful, and since tissue types are inherited, a patient is more likely to match with someone from their own race or ethnicity.

I ask this for a selfish reason, obviously, I want my friend's husband to survive this, but the truth is, there are thousands more who will benefit as well -- please, if you are in a position to appeal to undergraduate or alum chapters about joining the bone marrow registry, please do. It's really as easy as a blood test. But the more people we get into the system, the more my friend and thousands like him have a chance to live.

Please ask fellow greeks, your co-workers, your friends, anyone who isn't already in the registry to consider joining. Thank you and here's a link to read more about the National Marrow Donor Program: http://www.marrow.org/ABOUT/Need_for_Donors/index.html

Sorry for the PSA, I just hate feeling so helpless about this and am just trying to feel like I'm doing SOMEthing.

[RaggedyAnn]

I am actually in the bone marrow donor registry. When I went through the process, the family and friends of a local guy that shared several of my nationalities was running a drive. I just had to fill out paperwork and get my mouth swabbed in I think 5 places.

[jojapeach]

Thanks for the reminder. I've been registered for over 10 years, but I just updated my address at their website.

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. has included the National Marrow Donor Program as one of our national programs: http://www.sgrho1922.org/marrow.html. I actually registered during my undergrad years when the chapter at my school held a drive during their week (before I was a member). I was actually the first person registered.

[Educatingblue]

I am in the donor registry as well, but a good suggestion to get the word out would be predominately African-American churches...maybe talk to the pastor/priest about organizing a drive

[Senusret I]

Not allowed to register, but good luck.

[OhSoVeryLadylike]

Can't register (transplant patient) but will ask others.

[Munchkin03]

I've been a proud member of the Registry for almost 8 years now! Never donated, but I've been a preliminary match a few times.

[nittanyalum]

Thank you for all the feedback! The churches are a great idea, I'll call my friend's mom back and see if anyone's pursuing that yet and if not, I'll jump on that.

[jojapeach]

Originally Posted by nittanyalum

Thank you for all the feedback! The churches are a great idea, I'll call my friend's mom back and see if anyone's pursuing that yet and if not, I'll jump on that.

Good luck with that, nittanyalum. I really hope the efforts work out.

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

I've been a proud member of the Registry for almost 8 years now! Never donated, but I've been a preliminary match a few times.

I've never been contacted for a prelim match after nearly 10 years. What kind of rare stuff is in my system? Sheesh...

[SWTXBelle]

You are apparently one of a kind.

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by jojapeach

I've never been contacted for a prelim match after nearly 10 years. What kind of rare stuff is in my system? Sheesh...

Kind of ironic. My cousin has matched and donated twice for bone marrow, and has matched and donated platelets once. And this is all within a little over a two year period.

[nittanyalum]

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

Kind of ironic. My cousin has matched and donated twice for bone marrow, and has matched and donated platelets once. And this is all within a little over a two year period.

Bless your cousin for being so generous!!!

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by nittanyalum

Bless your cousin for being so generous!!!

[WCsweet<3]

I've matched once but that was to my brother and that was expected. I have been on the list for a while though.
Keep us updated! I am praying for you and your friends!

[FlaGirl07]

I am medically ineligible to join =(. Good luck!!