Why should you join?

Every 3 minutes, someone is diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma or another blood cancer. For many, the only cure is a blood stem cell transplant.

• 25% will find a donor in their immediate family. Another 25% will find a donor in the worldwide marrow registry. 
• But half have no match simply because there aren’t enough potential donors in the marrow registry.
• As a result, thousands die waiting for a match. And we need your help.
• Joining the registry is easy – Just get your cheeks swabbed, fill out a short questionnaire, and -- if you are the 1 in 540 that's a match -- be willing to donate blood stem cells to a dying patient. Five minutes tops, and you can become a hero!
• Though race has no genetic basis, a potential donor’s genes (HLAs) must correlate with the patient’s ethnic background. And while all donors are needed, those urgently needed are African Americans, Asian/Pacific Islanders, Latinos, Native Americans and people of multiracial backgrounds.

Still not convinced you should join?  Let's dispel some of the myths about marrow donations...

Myth:  Joining the registry means you will be donating at the marrow drive.
Fact:   False! To join the registry you simply get swabbed, fill out a short questionnaire, and be willing to donate.  Chances of being called to donate are 1 in 430. If you are a match, Be The Match contacts you.

Myth:  It is very painful to donate marrow stem cells.
Fact:   Not true! Today, 90% of donors provide marrow stem cells through a peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) donation. This nonsurgical procedure takes place at an outpatient facility that participates in PBSC collections. Your blood is removed through a needle in one arm and passed through a machine that collects only the blood-forming stem cells. The remaining blood is returned through a needle in your other arm. Today, just 10% of bone marrow donations are surgical procedures. In these cases, general anesthesia is used, and the donor feels no pain. 

Myth:  It’s expensive to join the marrow registry.
Fact:   Joining the registry is completely free. And if you end up being a match for someone, donating doesn’t cost you a dime, either. The registry and the health insurance company of the patient pick up all costs for you and a friend: travel, lodging, food, and medical costs associated with the transplant. So come join the Be The Match marrow registry!

So what are you waiting for? Be a Hero.  

Come and Register!

Tuesday, October 24, 10-2, Student Center Lobby.

If you can't come to the drive, simply join online!  Go to: http://join.BeTheMatch.org/SUNYPolySaves