Sunday, February 03, 2008

fwd: save a life

This is from Rach. Instead of sending you to her blog, I figured I'd just repost it here.

This is a quick public service announcement.

Cancer sucks.

My friend's friend has been battling leukemia for a few years. I don't know her very well, but I have had the pleasure of meeting her twice: once in Boston and once in Japan. She is one of the those people who seems to be fantastic at everything she tries, but you can't hate her for it because she is so nice and genuine. (I think that Jeff may have been a bit smitten with her...)

Any ways, her leukemia has just relapsed. There isn't a current match in the bone marrow registry for her. I don't really think that anyone who reads this blog is a match for her (what would the odds of that be) but you could be a match for someone who needs your help.

The process of donating to the bone marrow registry is easier (and less painful) than you think.

1) Go to the www.onematch.com website run by Canadian blood services.
2) You have to read a bit about bone marrow donation and then you take a quiz!
3) Fill out the online application form.
4) Canadian Blood Services will contact you so that you can come and give a sample.
5) You give one vial of blood.

That is it. If you are a match for someone, they will contact/find you. Chances are you may never be needed. Or, you could help save someone's life.

If you're american the process is even easier!
1) Go here!
2) Read some things and fill out a form.
3) Take a swab of your cheek cells when you get your kit in the mail.
4) Mail cheek cells back to the registry.

There is a special need for people of mixed races to join the registry - your unique genetics make finding a match next to impossible. Thanks folks, I may or may not stop asking you to do things now.

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