kwickimom Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 We're having a bone marrow drive in our town next week and I am thinking about registering. We have two kids in our town that need transplants. I have just started reading up on it. I am wanting to hear some real life experiences. Thanks!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the evolving homemaker Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 register. there are two ways they take bone marrow now, not all require the donation from your hip. visit Be The Match.com to find out more. even if it is uncomfortable it is worth saving someones life. 50% of people who need transplants never find a match. mothers, fathers, children, sisters, brothers. everyone should be on the Be The Match list. You can even have a kit sent to you at your home for free. my brother has leukemia. out of 7 MILLION people on the registry there was NOT a match for him. he underwent an experimental cord cell transplant and is recovering. but i wish beyond wish that more people would get on this list. i got on in college because a friend died from leukemia and have never once been worried that it might hurt. it is worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momling Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 We joined Be The Match Donor Registry 10 years ago, along with my parents and brothers and nobody has ever been asked to donate (or even do the testing that narrows down whether you could donate). Just don't assume that if you register as a donor that you'll ever actually be asked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 I haven't donated, but I am registered with Be the Match. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommyrooch Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 I also have never donated but I am on the registry. I would be honored to donate if I ever were called. My son is a Leukemia survivor so this is near and dear to my heart. I encourage you to register. So many people never find a match. It's very sad. The more people in the registry, the greater the odds that lives would be saved. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msk Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 My mom donated, for her brother. It took her a few days to recover from the procedure, but it was definitely worth it to save his life! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalanamak Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 We're having a bone marrow drive in our town next week and I am thinking about registering. We have two kids in our town that need transplants. I have just started reading up on it. I am wanting to hear some real life experiences. Thanks!! A little ouch and some ache, but nothing like having a tooth out. The suctioning "feels funny", but not painful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
higginszoo Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 I'm registered, but haven't been asked to donate. There are two ways to donate stem cells, and they seem to be using both a lot now. One donating the actual marrow, they stick a needle into your bone, and you're sore for several days. The other is they collect stem cells from your blood. Apparently the meds they use to make you make more stem cells make you flu-ish for a few days, and then you spend 1/2 day to a full day hooked up to a machine that harvests the stem cells. So, either way, there is some discomfort involved, but I've seen what the recipient side is like, and it's nothing like that. Be the match has lots of good blogs about donation that tell the good, the bad, and the ugly of both processes step by step from a number of people's perspectives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwickimom Posted November 12, 2011 Author Share Posted November 12, 2011 We joined Be The Match Donor Registry 10 years ago, along with my parents and brothers and nobody has ever been asked to donate (or even do the testing that narrows down whether you could donate). Just don't assume that if you register as a donor that you'll ever actually be asked. I know this, but in registering it is possible that I could donate and I want to know everything about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Friederike in Persia Posted November 12, 2011 Share Posted November 12, 2011 My brother in law was registered as a donar and got called up to donate one day. He got a very warm thank you letter from a father of two, who's life he had saved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QuirkyKidAcademy Posted November 12, 2011 Share Posted November 12, 2011 I've been registered at Be the Match since 2007 when a a friend's daughter needed a bone marrow transplant. Unfortunately, neither of her two transplants were successful, and we lost her in 2008. Another friend has a 6yo son who is currently in need of a transplant. Databases *world wide* have been searched and there is no suitable match for this boy. None. In the whole world. Latinos are statistically under-matched because of low registration. My sister won't register because "harvesting the marrow will hurt." Yeah, that's nothing compared to the pain of losing a child. I called her selfish to her face. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
golfcartmama Posted November 12, 2011 Share Posted November 12, 2011 My brother's life was saved by a donor. Register. We thank God everyday that his donor (who was and is a complete stranger) was so selfless and gave so that another had the opportunity to live. We get to have the information on the donor soon, I can't wait to thank her! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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