SCRUBS, S&T's pre-health professions organization, is co-sponsoring a bone marrow donor registry drive during Thursday's Wellness Fair. You can join the "Be The Match" donor registry, a part of the National Marrow Donor Program, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, in the Meramec Room of the Havener Center.
FAQs:
Q. How do I join the registry?
A. Cheek swab at the drive.
Q. Who is eligible?
A. 18-65 year-olds who don't have any blood diseases.
Q. How long will I be on the registry?
A. As long as you remain healthy, until you're 65. You can withdraw at any time.
Q. How likely is it that I will be a match with someone who needs a transplant?
A. Most people never get called.
Q. What happens if I match with someone needing a transplant?
A. The registry will contact you. You can either consent or decline to have further testing. After further testing, if you are a match and are willing to donate, you will be asked to do so.
Q. How do donations work?
A. It is typically done peripherally, i.e., your blood is drawn and it is filtered for stem cells. Sometimes they may ask for a bone marrow biopsy.
Q. Who gets bone marrow transplants?
A. People who are dying from blood diseases such as leukemias and lymphomas.
For more information about the drive, contact Lane Wilson at jlwtyf@mizzou.edu, or call the "Be The Match" donor registry at 314-348-5650.
