Still time to register for free or tell someone about the Marrowthon. You can save a life, and you don't even need to leave home to register. Fill in the form online, and a cheek swab kit will be sent directly to your home.

Labels: free registration, NMDP, online registration, United States, US

I was interviewed on the DryerBuzz podcast and discussed How Being African American Can Save A Life.



Leave comments about the show online.

The hostess read my brief messages broadcast on Twitter.
Here's how you can find me, her, DryerBuzz, and Heal Emru there.

Labels: #blck, Atlanta, Emru, Internet, minority donors, United States, US

The Month of November is National Marrow Awareness Month in the US. Online registration with the NMDP is free.

November 3-9, 2008 is Canadian Stem Cell Awareness Week. Go to the OneMatch site to find out how to Spread The Word.

November 17-23, 2008 is Anthony Nolan Week in the UK. Check the Anthony Nolan Trust media centre for their latest YouTube video.

So let's try and build some awareness: here are 5 important points that you should know about registration and donation.

1. 70% of people requiring a stem cell transplant need an unrelated donor.

The first choice is a family member, but more people will have to rely on a stranger.

2. Register by providing a blood sample in Quebec or the UK, or a cheek swab sample in the rest of Canada or the US.

In the US, UK and most of Canada, you can even fill in your registration online and get a kit sent to your home.

This is a free service in Canada and the UK as well as many other countries. In the US, there are ways to register for free.

3. Donation is safe, fast, and not risky.

You never donate stem cells or bone marrow at risk to your own life. Whatever is donated replenishes itself naturally in the body.

4. There are 2 ways to do it.

70% of people will donate in a process that takes a few hours and is similar to donating blood. For a few days leading up to the extraction process, the donor receives injections to produce additional stem cells in the body.

30% of people will donate by having liquid marrow extracted from within the back of the pelvic bone.

5. Many people cannot find matches.

There are 8 blood types, but for a stem cell match there are several million combinations of possible human leukocyte antigen (HLA) profiles - 150 billion different possibilities in theory.

Even though blood is important, and people who need transplants (in addition to many other people) need donated blood to survive, people with a rare blood type can probably find a match in a room with 100 people of different ethnicity. For someone looking for a stem cell match, they may need a stadium of 20000 or 50 stadiums (or more) to find a match.

Then they have to hope that person is on the registry.

The most likely match within the general population is someone of the same or similar ethnicity.


How To Register in Quebec
How To Register in Canada
How To Register Online in the United States

Stem Cell Awareness and the Black Community
By the Numbers: Still a State of Emergency

Labels: Anthony Nolan Trust, Canada, events, free registration, NMDP, OneMatch, online registration, UK, US

The Hendrick Marrow Program, the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), the NASCAR Foundation and the Jimmie Johnson Foundation have teamed up for the annual NASCAR Foundation Blood and Marrow Drive—providing you with an opportunity to register for free as a potential bone marrow donor.

On September 11, you can visit one of 30 participating race tracks to donate blood and register as a bone marrow donor; some tracks also feature other incentives, like food, t-shirts, and even the opportunity to drive around the track in your own car. (Note that four tracks are holding their events on September 12, September 13, September 21 and December 2.)

If you can't get out to a race track (or, like me, you're just not a racing fan) you can still register as a donor for free online until September 22. Either way, it's time to start your engines.

Labels: bone marrow drives, free registration, NASCAR, NMDP, US

I won't be able to make it to Denvention this year. At first I wasn't sure if I could swing it, but when I decided I really wanted to do it, life got in the way.

I recently mentioned that science fiction, comic and animation fans have been doing a lot to help raise awareness about bone marrow and stem cell donation. For those of you who will be attending the 66th World Science Fiction convention in Denver this week, I would like to direct your attention to these items:

Robert A. Heinlein Memorial Blood Drive (Friday, August 8). You can find out more on the web page and even make an appointment in advance. For those of you reading this who do not know this late science fiction Grand Master, he popularized the term, "Pay It Forward." He believed instead of paying debts back, you could go out and do something equally good for someone else. Incidentally, Emru introduced me to RAH's work when we were kids. Like Heinlein, Emru needed blood when he fell ill - I think it's around 40 times since December.

Heal Emru stickers, flyers and buttons will be available to promote bone marrow and stem cell donation and registration: I would hand these out myself if I were present. Please pick a sticker up at the Anticipation table or a promotional table and consider placing it on your badge and telling your friends where you got it. If you need more information, consult the back of the flyer that should be lurking close by. Emru recently found a match - with lots of help, including fandom's - but over 16000 people are hoping to get the same chance and not all will.

Another great cause that has been garnering a lot of support: Match It For Pratchett folks may have a donation jar at the WesterCon 62/NA Discworld table in the fan table area during the convention. Remember, you can donate every day by just going to the website or contacting your country's leading charity dedicated to Alzheimer's research.

Many fans have big hearts, but this year I have seen it in action more than ever from a very personal level. So to anyone who reads this who is considering one or more of these suggestions, runs charity or awareness-raising events at your local convention, or just does something to help another person out at other times of the year: thank you.

Have a fantastic five days.

Do you have any good causes you know about at the convention? Let me know and I will update this message!

Labels: blood drive, Colorado, conventions, flyers, US

USA - SheKnows, Save Giovanni and DKMS Americas team up to recruit 50000 new registrants - 15000 registrants, and 14 matches later, the Save Giovanni campaign embarks on a new campaign to recruit more potential donors by next year.

Southern California - The Battle Rages On - Chase Crawford-Quickel finds out he has a rare blood cancer called rhabdomyosarcoma, and gets a stem cell transplant for the second time in his young life. A well-written account, which includes a brief summary of both methods of donation.

"Chase,a wiry young man with a dry sense of humor, says he is willing to tell his story only in order to raise awareness about bone marrow transplants."

Birmingham, UK - Firefighter's Donor Search in Leukaemia Battle and Bone Marrow Donors Could Help Little Alishba - Two people are looking for a matching donor. While no one is guaranteed a match, Alishba is South Asian and may face a more difficult search.

"Even if none of the donors my mates encourage to come forward is a perfect match for me, they could serve to save someone else's life."

Labels: Anthony Nolan Trust, California, DKMS, minority donors, UK, US

From the Main Street News:

As Booth receives what may be a life-saving transplant of bone marrow Thursday, July 3, they’ll be holding a blood drive in his honor at New Hope Baptist Church.
The American Red Cross blood drive, set from 2:00 p.m. to 8 p.m., has two purposes. One is to honor Booth while helping the Red Cross meet its blood needs. The other is to raise awareness of the National Bone Marrow Registry that helped Booth find a donor.

“They will just test people with a mouth swab and see if they’re interested in donating bone marrow,” said Stowers, who added that there is no charge for the screening.

“We hope to have at least 50 people,” said Stowers. “Of that, I would expect 35 to be able to donate. I’d like to shoot for a hundred. You don’t have to be able to donate blood to be a bone marrow donor, and people could make a donation to the Red Cross or sign up for the bone marrow registry.”

New Hope Baptist Church is located at 211 Stapler Drive, at the corner of U.S. 441 and Old Kings Bridge Road a mile south of Benton Elementary School.

Labels: bone marrow donor clinic, bone marrow drives, Georgia, US

I got this a little late. From the Press-Telegram:

[Krissy] Kobata's rare condition is compounded by the lack of a bone-marrow match, which doctors say is now an urgent need. Kobata's family is of mixed heritage - Japanese and Caucasian - which has made it more difficult for her to find a donor match. Kobata's brother, her only sibling, is not a match.

Kobata's family and the Asians for Miracle Marrow Matches, an affiliate of the National Marrow Donor Program, have arranged for bone-marrow drives in Los Angeles County, including Long Beach.

The only drive that hasn't passed a yet is this one:

Southeast Japanese School and Cultural Center, 14615 Gridley Road, Norwalk; July 26, 3 to 8 p.m., and July 27, 2to 6 p.m.

Labels: bone marrow donor clinic, bone marrow drives, California, US

Pat Pedraja is a young man on a mission. Pat is seeking to educate people about the bone marrow registry and register more people, especially minority donors. In Canada, it is free to register. In the US, if it is free, it is because someone else paid for the typing costs already. Someone contributed money or raised a lot of funds to ensure people would be able to register.

Unlike Canada, the US runs bone marrow drives, which are a proven method for recruiting a large number of people and diversifying the registry. Pat pledged to recruit 2007 people for 2007, and ended up recruiting over 6500 people in over 30 US cities in 3 months. This year, he is back on the road again, driving for donors.

Pat does not require a donor, but this 13-year-old 2007 CNN Hero has lived with leukemia since he was 10 years old. Pat writes:

Your vote will make a difference!
HI, it's Pat from Driving For Donors!

I need your votes for these 2 awards. To me it's about more than winning a contest, it's about saving lives! I have registered over 10,000 new marrow donors and helped find 4 life saving matches for people in need! The more people that hear about my work and register as marrow donors the more lives we can save!

I need the help of adults and kids too! Can you please take a minute to vote and pass this on to everyone you know so they can help me as well!
Teen Choice / Do Something Award voting is for 13 to 19 year olds so (if YOU'RE NOT) please forward this to your kids and ask them to vote! If I'm the top vote getter, I'll be on the TEEN CHOICE AWARDS (with Miley Cyrus) and receive $100,000 for Driving for Donors! That can save a lot of lives!

Vote everyday until August 1st!

CLICK HERE to vote for Pat for the Teen Choice Do Something Award!

Labels: bone marrow drives, minority donors, NMDP, US

This is Michelle. She is in her 20s, just got married and has been living with leukemia. She needs a bone marrow transplant and requires an unrelated donor. Project Michelle has helped increase her chances and highlighted the shortage of Asian donors in the registry.

So far, Project Michelle has helped register 8000 people at bone marrow drives. Why don't we do these in Canada? Someone remind me, please.

Labels: bone marrow drives, California, minority donors, NMDP, US

From hapihour.org:

WHAT: In-n-Out: The Drive to Increase Asian American Registered Bone Marrow Donors

WHEN: Saturday | June 14, 2008 | 10 am - 3 pm

WHERE: Chinese for Affirmative Action, Community Room
The Kuo Building
17 Walter U. Lum Place
San Francisco, CA 94108
COST: Free

To RSVP and to show your support, please visit our Facebook Event and/or our Evite.

Labels: bone marrow donor clinic, bone marrow drives, California, minority donors, US

From the Ledger:

In order for Liam to be cured, he needs a bone marrow transplant.

To find a match for him, Mulberry United Methodist Church will be having a blood drive/bone marrow screening from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday.

Labels: bone marrow donor clinic, bone marrow drives, Florida, US

From the Connecticut Post:

To aid Lemos — and others in need of a transplant — the Vasco da Gama Portuguese Cultural & Civic Center, 355 James St., Bridgeport will host a bone marrow donor registration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.

Labels: bone marrow donor clinic, bone marrow drives, Connecticut, US

Two more Project Michelle marrow drives, courtesy of Peachies.net:

ABC Supermarket
Sat, May 31, 10am – 4pm
6970 Bolsa Ave., Westminster, CA 92683

Cerritos Farmer’s Market, Cerritos Town Center
Sat, May 31, 8am – 12pm
Park Plaza Drive, Cerritos, CA 90703

Labels: bone marrow donor clinic, bone marrow drives, California, US

From The Maykazine:

Project Michelle
Bone Marrow Registration Drive

Saturday May 31, 2008
9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Club Sport Fremont
46650 Landing Parkway
Fremont, California 94538

Labels: bone marrow donor clinic, bone marrow drives, California, US

Here's a reminder of the bone marrow registration drives we're aware of that are coming up over the next seven days:

May 27
Isabela, Puerto Rico - Iglesia Presbiteriana de Borinquen, Clinica de Salud
Pompano Beach, Florida - Consulado Brasileiro Itinerante
San Jose, California - Price Waterhouse Coopers

May 28
Sacramento, California - APAPA Internship Event
San Mateo, California - Guideware Software
Orford, England - Tetley Walker Social Club

May 29
La Moca, Puerto Rico - Instituto de Banca de Moca
Union City, California - James Logan High School

May 30
San Diego, California - Naval Base San Diego Main Navy Exchange
San Francisco, California - Vision Shock Party

May 31
Wilminton, Delaware - Faith Baptist Church Health Fair
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - Igreja San Martin of Tours, Lower Church
Jamaican, New York - Roy Wilkins Family Recreation Center
London, England - Tiger Tiger

June 1
Delran, New Jersey - Harvest English Institute
Los Angeles, California - Temple Beth Am
Cupertino, California - Good Shepherd Church
Union City, California - GRX Church-Fremont

Labels: bone marrow drives, California, Delaware, Florida, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, UK, US

From the Argus:

Inspired by spiritual leader Mahatma Gandhi, who told people to "be the change we wish to see in the world," James Logan High School students will hold a disaster-relief fundraiser and bone marrow drive during the school's unofficial "Be the Change" Week.

While that fundraiser takes place throughout the week, junior Supada Sritanyaratana has organized a bone marrow drive for Thursday. Only staff and students over 18 can register, a process which includes using a cotton swab to collect a saliva sample from the mouth.

Because no single ethnic group makes up more than 30 percent of the population at Logan High, "I thought that Logan would be the perfect place to set up this ... drive, (given) our great diversity," Sritanyaratana said.

Labels: bone marrow drives, California, US

From InsideMedford.com:

Tufts University will host a donor registration drive for the Dana-Farber Marrow Donor Program on June 7 in honor of local baseball legend Bill Monbouqette.

The registration drive, organized by Monbouquette’s former Red Sox teammate Jerry Moses, will take place from 10AM to 6PM at Cousens Gym at Tufts, 161 College Avenue, Medford.

Labels: bone marrow drives, Massachusetts, US

From Navy Compass:

A Bone Marrow Donor Registration Drive will be held on May 30 at Naval Base San Diego Main Navy Exchange, in honor of Zoe Hunter. Zoe is the daughter of IT2 (EXW) Tom Hunter a Navy Reservist, assigned to Navy Weapons Station Seal Beach, Boat Detachment 343.

That's all there is in the way of drive details, but I suspect that, like an earlier drive we mentioned held on a military base, the drive is only open to "all active duty military, their immediate dependents, DoD civilian employees, Coast Guard, National Guard, and Reservists, ages 18 to 60."

Labels: bone marrow drives, California, US

From Radio Javan:

This year's event is being held on May 25th in the San Jose area to support thousands of people in need of bone marrow transplants. This drive is in honor of a young Iranian man who has been told he needs a transplant and unfortunately his family are not a match.

Drive details:
Drive Location: Campbell Community Center
Address: One West Campbell Avenue Bldg. D Room 38-39, Campbell, CA 95008 (map)
Drive Date: May 25 2008
Drive Time: 1:00PM - 6:00PM

Labels: bone marrow drives, California, US

From the YABA Blog. This event is both a blood drive and a bone marrow drive:

Please sign up today for an appointment to donate blood! (You don't need an appointment to sign up for the National Marrow Donor Registry.)

What: Blood & Bone Marrow Drive
When: Sunday 1 June 2008
Time: 9 a.m. to 2.30 p.m.
Where: Temple Beth Am - 1039 S. La Cienega Blvd., LA, 90035
RSVP: http://www.bikurcholim.net/BikurCholim/Site/Blood/appointment.asp?m=15

Labels: bone marrow drives, California, US

From the Free Lance-Star:

Former James Monroe basketball standout Cedric Hopkins is still in need of a bone-marrow transplant.

No match was found for Hopkins among the 125 potential donors who showed up for the bone-marrow drive that was held last month at the Dorothy Hart Community Center in Fredericksburg, according to his mother, Maggie Hopkins.

A new drive will be held on Saturday at the Mayfield Civic Center from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Labels: bone marrow drives, US, Virginia

Here's a reminder of the bone marrow registration drives we're aware of that are coming up over the next seven days:

May 20
Kent, England - Princes Plain Primary School

May 23
Providence, Rhode Island - MET School
Longmont, Colorado - Longmont United Hospital

May 24
Brooklyn, New York - St. Augustine Episcopal Church
Katonah, New York - Katonah Village Library
York, Pennsylvania - YMCA Community Center

May 25
Jamestown, Rhode Island - Portuguese Hall

Labels: bone marrow drives, Colorado, New York, Rhode Island, UK, US

Registration at this event is free for minorities. From the York Daily Record/Sunday News:

Minorities between ages 18 and 60 are needed for the National Marrow Donor Program and can be screened at a bone marrow drive 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the YMCA Community Center, 452 N. Beaver St. in York.

Labels: bone marrow drives, free registration, minority donors, Pennsylvania, US

From the Concord Monitor:

During Bike Week, from June 14 to 22, there will be a week-long bone marrow drive in Laconia sponsored by 10 radio stations and organized by Guglielmo and by Jim Fronk of the radio station The Hawk. The drive will be held at Sparkle Clean Car Wash on Route 11 on the side of Paugus Bay, in a trailer dubbed the "Save A Life Trailer." Another location will be set up in a tent at Thurston's Marina next to the Hawk RV.

Labels: bone marrow drives, New Hampshire, US

Here's another way to get registrants and monetary donations for the National Marrow Donor Program: Throw a party! It all goes down tonight in Portland, Oregon. From The Portland Mercury:

Live music! Beer! Helping sick kids!

I think there’s gonna be a silent auction, as well as live music from Red Ray Frazier, Invisible Rockets, Blue Horns, Henry Dark, and Jesse Young and Friends. And did I mention helping sick kids, and beer?

Green Dragon Pub and Bistro, 928 SE 9th, Sunday May 18, 3 pm-11 pm or so.

Labels: bone marrow drives, free registration, NMDP, Oregon, US

From Lend a Hand, Inc.:

What: Bone Marrow Drive 1: HELP SAVE MICHELLE!
When: SATURDAY and SUNDAY, May 17 and 18, 2008
Time: 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m
Location #1: Hong Kong 4 City Mall (11201 Bellaire Blvd, Houston, TX)

What: Bone Marrow Drive 2: HELP SAVE MICHELLE!
When: Sunday, May 18, 2008
Time: 9:30 AM-11:30 AM
Location #2: Nha Tho Cac Thanh Tu Dao (10610 Kingspoint Rd, Houston, TX 77075)

"Project Michelle" (www.projectmichelle.com) wants to increase the number of Asians registered in the bone marrow registry. Their goal is to enroll 15,000 Asians. Her match is most likely to come from a person of Asian descent, however, very few Asians are actually in the registry and this makes it very difficult for doctors to find them a match. This is why we need your help.

Labels: bone marrow drives, minority donors, Texas, US

The Thanks Mom event is winding to a close. While it's generally possible to find free or reduced-cost registration year-round, it's never quite as easy as during this event. From the Bastrop Daily Enterprise:

The International Paper Company in conjunction with Morehouse General Hospital are joining together to hold a bone marrow drive called the Thanks Mom Campaign from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on May 19 at the Louisiana Mill Learning Center.

Labels: bone marrow drives, free registration, Louisiana, NMDP, US

Just got word of six drives happening in NYC over the next five weeks:

May 17
Eastchester Playground
Adjacent from 1219 Adee Avenue
Bronx, NY 10407
917.498.1695

May 24
St. Augustine Episcopal Church
4301 Ave. D
Brooklyn, NY 11203
718.629.0959

May 29
Fraternal New York State Troopers
911 West John Street
Hickville, NY 11801
917.593.4174

May 31
National Women's Health Awareness Day
Roy Wilkins Family Recreation Center
Baisley Blvd & 177th Street
Jamaica, NY 11434
718.712.0873

June 7
Powerful Praise Tabernacle
708-710 Myrtle Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11205
718.422.1170

June 22
Church of St. Marks
1346 President Street
Brooklyn, NY 11213
718.756.6607

Labels: bone marrow drives, New York, US

From the Longmont Times-Call:

Local residents can join for free during the second annual “thanks mom” Marrow Donor Drive, from 4 to 8 p.m May 23 at Longmont United Hospital. Normally, it costs $52 to join, according to the National Marrow Donor Program.

Labels: bone marrow drives, Colorado, free registration, US

From News10.net:

Bloodsource will hold another bone-marrow drive on Friday, May 16 at Kaiser Hospital in Roseville at 1600 Eureka Rd., from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Labels: bone marrow drives, California, free registration, US

From the Chicago Sun-Times:

From 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Loyola Center for Health and Fitness in Maywood, the National Marrow Donor Program will hold a bone-marrow drive on behalf of Kim and several others. It's part of a national effort called "Thanks Mom Donor Drive."

Labels: bone marrow drives, free registration, Illinois, US

From The Greenville News:

When Katie-Belle Cooley of Greenville was diagnosed with infant leukemia at the tender age of 8 1/2 months, her mom knew she would need to take action. Karen Cooley enlisted the help of family, friends, and the National Marrow Donor Program to help add volunteers to the national bone marrow donor registry. Their efforts culminate on Saturday, May 17th at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church located at 3710 Augusta Road from 10am until 4pm.

Labels: bone marrow drives, free registration, South Carolina, US

From the Connecticut Post:

Forget blood drives. Joseph A. Foran High School's Interact Club is going deeper with an effort to get bone marrow donors.

The club will sponsor the marrow drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Masonic Hall, 59 Broad St., in affiliation with the National Marrow Donor Program. Interact President Paul Wydra III, a senior at Foran, said it normally costs $60 per person to join the registry, but a special "Thanks Mom" promotion during the month of May means it's free.

Labels: bone marrow drives, Connecticut, free registration, US

Here's a reminder of the bone marrow drives coming up over the next seven days. Many of these drives are free, as part of the National Marrow Donor Program's "Thanks Mom" event.

May 12
Columbus, Ohio - James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute
Syracuse, New York - Boys & Girls Club
Sacramento, California - UC Davis Cancer Center
Kansas City, Missouri - Children’s Mercy Hospital
North Plainfield, New Jersey - Vermeule Community Center
Shoreview, Minnesota - Turtle Lake School
Rutland, Vermont - Alderman's Chevrolet

May 13
North Scituate, Rhode Island - Ponaganset Middle School
Hopkins, Minnesota - Shepherd of the Hill Church
Hannibal, Missouri - Cary Cancer Center
Manchester, Vermont - Manchester Rescue
Fair Haven, Vermont - Fair Haven Union High School

May 14
Providence, Rhode Island - Hasbro Children's Hospital
Madison, Alabama - Dublin Park

May 15
Jeffersonville, New York - St. George's Church
Liberty, New York - Liberty High School
Kansas City, Missouri - St. Charles Borromeo Parish
Minneapolis, Minnesota - Nicollet Mall Farmers Market
Middlebury, Vermont - Porter Medical Center
Huddersfield, England - Newsome South Methodist Church Hall

May 16
Rome, Georgia - Redmond Regional Medical Center
Stony Brook, New York - Stony Brook University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Pittsford, Vermont - Vermont Police Academy

May 17
Central Falls, Rhode Island - Wyatt Detention Facility’s Training Center
Springield, Pennsylvania - Springfield Township High School
Townshend, Vermont - Grace Cottage Hospital

May 18
Mount Holly, Vermont - Mount Holly Rescue Fair
Parkville, Missouri - St. Therese Parish
Kansas City, Missouri - Temple B’nai Jehudah
Kansas City, Missouri - Christ Church
St. Paul, Minnesota - St. Andrew's Lutheran Church
St. Paul, Minnesota - St. George Greek Orthodox Church

Labels: Alabama, bone marrow drives, California, free registration, Georgia, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, UK, US, Vermont

From MyCentralJersey.com:

From 1:30 to 7 p.m. Monday at the Vermeule Community Center, 301 Clinton Ave., the North Plainfield Policemen's Benevolant Assocation and International Association of Firefighters in conjunction with the HLA Registry and Community Blood Services will hold a blood and bone marrow donor registry drive.

Appointments are available every 15 minutes during the entire event. Walk-ins are also welcome.

Labels: bone marrow drives, free registration, New Jersey, US

From the Star Tribune:

2:30-6:30 p.m. Monday, Turtle Lake School, 1141 Lepak Court, Shoreview

5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, Shepherd of the Hill Church, 500 Blake Road S., Hopkins

11 a.m.-3p.m. Thursday, Nicollet Mall Farmers Market, Minneapolis

9 a.m.-12p.m. May 18, St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, 900 Stillwater Road, St. Paul

Noon-2 p.m. May 18, St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 1111 Summit Av., St. Paul

11 a.m.-3 p.m. May 19, Broadway Ridge building, 3001 Broadway St. NE., Minneapolis

Labels: bone marrow drives, free registration, Minnesota, US

The National Marrow Donor Program's Thanks Mom event also features a page called The Donor Garden. You can add your photo to a collage of people who have registered, know a loved one who is waiting for or received a transplant, or if you have been a donor or recipient. My ID is 100249.

Add your name to the garden.

Labels: bone marrow drives, donor stories, free registration, NMDP, personal appeal, US

Mother's Day is a time to reflect on how important our mothers are and to celebrate them. Giving life is a powerful experience and the bond between a mother and child are not to be underestimated. Now try to magine the gift a mother receives when she learns that her critically ill child has a second chance at life. Or how a child feels if their parent needs a chance to live.

The National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) is offering free registration during its Thanks Mom campaign, until May 19, 2008.

During the event, costs to join the Registry online or at a bone marrow drive are paid for by generous partners and contributors so that it is FREE:

- For the first 46,000 who join the registry via the NMDP.

-This includes the first 10,000 who join online via the NMDP's website.

In the US, you get the inside of your cheek swabbed. You get a kit at home or you go to a bone marrow drive or donor center. Here is a list by state of upcoming drives.

If you are not a US resident, this is still important information about the bone marrow registry. Many countries have free registry, every day. Even if you do not live in the US, people who register in the US could save the life of a person anywhere in the world, maybe even where you live. In fact, 49% of US matches involve an international recipient or donor.

There are many myths surrounding donation and registration. Many people do not even know there is an unrelated registry and that 70% who need bone marrow transplant rely on someone outside of the family. After registration, learning more and telling others is the most important key to creating a healthy registry and giving people a chance at survival.

Emru celebrated his birthday yesterday. He says that this is his birthdate "for now". If he has the opportunity to receive a transplant, this may be the day he is given life a second time around.

Labels: bone marrow drives, free registration, NMDP, US

From the Huntsville Times:

A bone marrow registry drive is set for May 14 from 4 to 9 p.m. at Dublin Park for Bryson Merriweather, a fifth-grader at St. John's School.

Labels: Alabama, bone marrow drives, free registration, US

From the Springfield Sun:

In an effort to raise awareness about the National Bone Marrow Registry and to attract potential marrow donors to the list, a group of Springfield Township residents will host a registry drive May 17 from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Springfield Township High School.

A second registry drive May 16 will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Labels: bone marrow drives, free registration, Pennsylvania, US

From the Longview News-Journal:

Because I Care and the National Marrow Donor Program are sponsoring a recruitment drive from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Longview Mall center court.

For information, call (903) 445-2507.

Labels: bone marrow drives, free registration, Texas, US

From the Providence Journal:

At least three marrow drives are scheduled, with the first this Sunday at Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence from noon to 4 p.m. There will also be a drive on May 14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Hasbro, and May 17 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Wyatt Detention Facility’s Training Center, in Central Falls.

Labels: bone marrow drives, free registration, Rhode Island, US

From the Quad-City Times:

Bone marrow drives will be held from noon to 6 p.m. today at the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center, 5500 Lakeview Parkway, Davenport, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Davenport office and at 3850 Blackhawk Road, Rock Island.

Labels: bone marrow drives, free registration, Iowa, US

All of these drives are free. From the Kansas City Star:

The National Marrow Donor Program is in the middle of its annual “Thanks Mom” program. Through May 19, the program is waiving the $52 fee that potential donors pay to cover the cost of tissue typing.

Kansas City “Thanks Mom” drives:

•11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Brush Creek Community Center, 3801 Emanuel Cleaver II Blvd.

•10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday at Children’s Mercy Hospital, 2401 Gillham Road.

•2 to 6 p.m. Thursday at St. Charles Borromeo Parish, 900 N.E. Shady Lane Drive in the Northland.

•9 a.m. to noon May 18 at St. Therese School, 7277 N.W. Missouri 9 in the Northland.

•8:30 to 11 a.m. May 18 at Temple B’nai Jehudah, 12320 Nall Ave., Overland Park.

•9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 18 at Christ Church, 5500 W. 91st St. Overland Park.

•Noon to 8 p.m. May 19 at Argosy Casino, 777 Argosy Parkway, Riverside.

Labels: bone marrow drives, free registration, Missouri, US

Free registration this Monday. From Rocklin & Roseville Today:

The Sacramento event, hosted in collaboration with BloodSource, will be held on Monday, May 12, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at UC Davis Cancer Center, 4501 X St., Sacramento.

Labels: bone marrow drives, California, free registration, US

News 10 Now reports that Syracuse, New York teen Eunique Darby found an unrelated match through the registry (congratulations!) and also reports on two upcoming donor drives. I got the details from the NMDP website. Registration is free for both:

Telephone Numbers: (877) 261-6786
Drive Location: Boys & Girls Club
Address: 2100 East Fayette Street, Syracuse, NY 13224
Drive Date: May 12 2008
Drive Time: 4:00PM - 6:00PM

Telephone Numbers: (718) 797-7850, (800) NY-BLOOD ext 2
Drive Location: Stony Brook University
Address: Stony Brook Medical Center, Stony Brook , NY 11794
Drive Date: May 16 2008
Drive Time: 8:00AM - 3:00PM

Labels: bone marrow drives, free registration, New York, US

From Recordnet.com:

San Joaquin County residents can join the National Marrow Donor Program's registry Saturday in Lodi.

A donor drive will be hosted by Miss San Joaquin 2008 Melissa Greiner from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Lodi Women's Club, 325 W. Pine St.

Greiner is using the donor program as a platform in the Miss America program. Her father, Stephen Greiner, received a bone marrow donation in 2007.

Labels: bone marrow drives, California, US

As this is part of the Thanks Mom campaign, registration is free. From the Rome News-Tribune:

A marrow donor drive will be held at Redmond Regional Medical center on Friday, May 16, from noon until 5 p.m. in Classroom A in the lower level of the hospital.

Labels: bone marrow drives, free registration, Georgia, US

If you are not a US resident, this is still important information. Even if you do not live in the US, people who register in the US could save the life of a person anywhere in the world, maybe even where you live. So tell someone about this.

The National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) has finally included the details of free registration during its Thanks Mom campaign, from May 5 to May 19.

During the event, costs to join the Registry online or at a bone marrow drive are paid for by generous partners and contributors so that it is

Free for the first 46,000 people who join the registry via the NMDP.

This includes the first 10,000 who register for a kit online.

In the US, you get the inside of your cheek swabbed. You get a kit at home or you go to a sponsored NMDP bone marrow drive.

To register online or find the nearest NMDP bone marrow drive, go to www.marrow.org. You can also find a list of some of this week's drives in an earlier post.

THE FACTS:

-70% of the people who need a bone marrow transplant will need an unrelated donor

-Many people will not find their match, so more people are needed

-The most likely match the same or similar ethnicity

-There is a severe shortage of people of African descent on the registries worldwide. It is very hard to match someone who is African Caribbean. There are others who are even harder to find a match for. If you are Chinese, it is very difficult to find a match. There are severe shortage of people of many ethnicities and you may be surprised to find out you are on the list.

-49% of the matches in the US involve an international donor or recipient, including recipients in countries where there are no registries, which includes all of the Caribbean.

-This is a life-saving procedure for the recipient that is low-risk, not time-consuming, and not done at a cost to the donor.

There are a lot of myths surrounding donation. The facts may surprise you. If you want to know more about the two types of donation, watch this video.

As you've seen in the donor stories, we have found, the few people who donated twice, have said they had no problem agreeing to do it again.

Labels: bone marrow drives, online registration, reduced registration cost, US

Here's a reminder of the bone marrow drives coming up over the next seven days. Many of these drives are free, as part of the National Marrow Donor Program's "Thanks Mom" event.

May 5
Brandon, Vermont - Brandon Rescue Squad
Bowling Green, Kentucky - Diddle Arena
Dearing, Kansas - Dearing Christian Church
Marksville, Louisiana - Paragon Casino Resort
Yukon, Oklahoma - Yukon High School

May 6
Rocky Mount, North Carolina - Kate & Billy Harrison Family YMCA
Davis, California - UC Davis

May 7
Rutland, Vermont - Rutland Regional Medical Center
San Jose, California - San Jose State University
San Louis Obispo, California - CalPoly University

May 8
Springfield, Vermont - Howard Dean Educational Center
San Jose, California - San Jose State University
San Louis Obispo, California - CalPoly University
San Francisco, California - Minami Tamaki

May 9
Cheyenne, Wyoming - Cheyenne-Kiwanis Community House

May 10
Harrisville, Rhode Island - Burrillville Family Fair
Poultney, Vermont - Poultney Rescue Squad Building
Perth, Australia - City of Perth Surf Life Saving Club
Hagerstown, Maryland - Valley Grace Brethren Church

Labels: Australia, bone marrow drives, California, free registration, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, North Carolina, Rhode Island, US, Vermont, Wyoming

From Share the Prayer:

If you are in the OKC area they are having a bone marrow drive in Yukon on Monday May 5th if you can RSVP @ dbyers57@cox.net that would be great, this will take place at Yukon HS form 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Labels: bone marrow drives, Oklahoma, US

From The Catholic Key:

On May 15 from 2 to 6 p.m., St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Oakview will hold a bone marrow screening to beef up the National Bone Marrow Program Registry so that more people whose lives can be saved will be matched with more people willing to save them.

Another screening will be held from 9 a.m. to noon May 18 at St. Therese Parish in Parkville.

Labels: bone marrow drives, Missouri, US

From the Herald-Mail:

Valley Grace Brethren Church in Hagerstown will hold a bone marrow drive with the National Marrow Donation Program from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 10, at Valley Grace Brethren Church, 17310 Gay Street.

The bone marrow drive was inspired by Big Pool resident Terri Tucker, who was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia.

There is no cost to donate. Donors must meet health guidelines, be between the ages of 18 and 60, and be willing to donate to any patient in need of a bone marrow match.

Labels: bone marrow drives, free registration, Maryland, US

From The Journal of a Prizefighter:

Registering is easy, and at no cost other than a simple cheek swab and the willingness to participate.

When: May 24th, 2008 10AM - 4PM
Where: Katonah Village Library
26 Bedford Road
Katonah, New York

Labels: bone marrow drives, free registration, New York, US

From KALB News Channel 5:

Paragon Casino Resort will play host to a Bone Marrow Drive for eleven-year-old Bryson Merriweather. This event will take place on Monday, May 5, in the Chiqui 3 ballroom, at Paragon Casino Resort, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Labels: bone marrow drives, Louisiana, US

Free registration at this bone marrow drive. From Media Newswire:

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The National Bone Marrow program is holding a bone marrow drive on Monday, May 12, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Volunteer donors can help save the lives of 35,000 children and adults who develop life threatening disease each year.

This year’s drive will be held at The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, 300 W. 10th Ave., room 518A. Potential donors need to be between the ages of 18 and 60 years old and in good health. Donor registration takes 15-20 minutes and participants will be asked to fill out a health questionnaire, sign a consent form and give a cheek-cell swab.

All fees associated with becoming a donor are covered by a grant from the National Bone Marrow Program. For more information, please call The James Line at 614-293-5066.

# # #

Kristina Day
Medical Center Communications
614-293-3737
Kristina.Day@osumc.edu

Labels: bone marrow drives, free registration, Ohio, US

My brother is looking for a hero.

You need no special powers, except compassion and the willingness to make a difference.

Register as a bone marrow donor. Save a life.

Registration is free in most countries and online registration is free in the US from May 5-19, 2008. http://www.marrow.org

The comics community has been very supportive of Emru's initiatives. After a month in the hospital, Emru stopped at Cosmix before going home to pick up his comics. They put up our flyer. Many comics stores in Montreal have done this, and are one of the most willing merchants, I've noticed, when I ask people to help. The Montreal Comicon gave us a table last Sunday in the Artists' Alley so we could educate people about the bone marrow registry. Dealers at the show offered to give flyers to their reserve customers. Some had family and friends who had received bone marrow transplants, and know what a life-saving procedure it is.

Thanks to the Montreal team that held the Iron Man premiere and let Emru enjoy his first movie since he was diagnosed and also make an empassioned plea to the audience.

As comic book fans, he and I truly found it special that we could enjoy this film together.

Because of the comics we read as kids, he and I believe in heroes. We still do.

Labels: free registration, Montreal, personal appeal, US

From the Bricktown Blog:

A Bone Marrow Drive has been scheduled for Monday, May 5, from 8:00am until 8:00pm, at the Dearing Christian Church. At the Drive, you will be tested with a cheek swab. The Drive will be sponsored by the Red Cross. The cost for this tissue test is typically $52, but there will be NO COST at this particular Drive.

Also, extra details from Tallgrass Rocks:

Walk-ins are welcome, but a RSVP will help to prepare enough supplies. Contact: Dawna @ (620) 515 – 395 or Darbie @ (620) 331 – 9754.

Labels: bone marrow drives, free registration, Kansas, US

From Thee Rant:

There will be a blood drive/Marrow match search this Wednesday April 30th, and the Suburban Temple located at 2900 Jerusalem Ave. in Wantagh, NY from 1530 Hrs. until 2045 Hrs.

Labels: bone marrow drives, New York, US

This drive provides free registration. From the Rocky Mount Telegram:

In an effort to get more local names on that national registry, the Kate & Billy Harrison Family YMCA will host a bone marrow drive from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 6, said Debra Slavin, one of the event organizers.

Labels: bone marrow drives, free registration, North Carolina, US

Here's a reminder of the bone marrow registration drives we've reported on that are coming up over the next seven days:

April 28
Boston, Massachusetts - University of Massachusetts Boston

April 30
San Francisco, California - University of California San Francisco
Palo Alto, California - Stanford University
Warwick, Rhode Island - Tollgate High School
Providence, Rhode Island - Garrahy Judicial Complex

May 1
Palo Alto, California - Stanford University

May 2
Dover, New Hampshire - Castaways
Wood River, Rhode Island - Chariho High School

May 3
Chattanooga, Tennessee - Signal Crest United Methodist Church

May 4
Palo Alto, California - St. Patrick Proto-Cathedral
Mountain View, California - India Literacy Project Run
Milpitas, California - New Vision Church

Labels: bone marrow drives, California, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Tennessee, US

From Foster's Daily Democrat:

If participants are residents of New Hampshire, Massachusetts or Rhode Island, those states mandate that insurance companies cover the cost of being tested at the drive. Otherwise, the cost is $75.

But there will also be a raffle held during the drive. The proceeds will go toward the Caitlin Raymond International Registry, which is a coordinating center for bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cell and placental cord unit donor searches. The registry is working with Plante to hold the drive, to cover the cost of anyone who doesn't have the $75 or cannot afford the cost.

Plante said there are some great prizes for the raffle including sports tickets and items signed by the Boston Bruins hockey team.

The drive will be held Friday, May 2 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Castaways at 31 Cocheco St. All are welcome, but only people ages 16 to 60 are eligible to be tested, and anyone who qualifies who is 16 years of age cannot undergo the procedure until age 18.

I'd also like to highlight something mentioned earlier in the article:

Plante has organized the bone marrow drive, which will be held at Castaways Restaurant and Lounge on Cocheco Street in Dover. Plante said it took a lot of phone calls and effort to figure out how the process works, but once she got in touch with the right people, it was "so easy."

The "right people" in the United States are the National Marrow Donor Program. If you visit their website, they'll tell you who to contact and what they can support you with. We've heard from others than organizing a drive is, more than anything else, a matter of finding space. Like the act of registering, it isn't that hard to make a significant impact.

Labels: bone marrow drives, free registration, New Hampshire, US

From The Kansas City Star:

Then from 2 to 6 p.m. May 15 the National Marrow Donor Program will screen and register potential donors for free at St. Charles Borromeo Parish, 900 N.E. Shady Lane Drive, Kansas City, North.

Labels: bone marrow drives, free registration, Missouri, US

From Froggy 99.9:

MeritCare’s Roger Maris Cancer Center is having a Bone Marrow Donor Drive Friday from 1-5pm at the Ramada Plaza Suites. They’ll test you to see if you are a match for someone on the bone marrow list. The test is simple: they just take a cotton swab to the inside of your cheek. If you are a match with someone on the list, you could save a life! Cancer patients need bone marrow transplants and often times the recipients are children. If you can’t be a donor, you can also donate money and sponsor a Donation Kit. They’re $26. For more information call Sherrie at 234-5301.

You'll find the Ramada Plaza Suites at:
1635 42nd Street S.
Fargo, ND 58103

Labels: bone marrow drives, North Dakota, US

An e-mail to the UCSF Student Activity Center regarding the April 30 drive at the University of California San Francisco led to a followup e-mail from the recruitment director of the Asian American Donor Program (AADP). (Don't let the name put you off; everyone is encouraged to register.) She pointed me to their website, which includes a calendar listing all of their upcoming drives and events, through to June 8. These aren't all in San Francisco. Other cities include Davis, Sunnyvale, San Jose and Palo Alto... to name a few. From their calendar page:

On your consent form, we will need the names, addresses and phone numbers of 2 close contacts who do not live with you and not living with each other.

Unless otherwise noted, all drives are public and open to all ethnic minorities interested in registering with the National Marrow Donor Program Registry. Due to fluctuating funding, non-minorities can be expected to pay up to $52 for registration.

The next four events take place this weekend in Sunnyvale, San Jose and San Francisco.

Labels: California, free registration, minority donors, US

Just got a tip from one of our Boston contingents: There's a drive coming up at UMass in the city. Details from marrow.org:

Donor Center: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Telephone Numbers: (617) 632-2561, (866) 875-3324
Drive Name: U MASS BOSTON
Drive Location: Main Campus
Address: 100 Morrissey Blvd, Boston, MA 02115
Drive Date: Apr 28 2008
Drive Time: 12:00PM - 2:00PM

As always, you can find out about National Marrow Donor Program-affiliated centres and drives in your area by checking out their list of donor centres by state.

Labels: bone marrow drives, Massachusetts, US

From New York Teacher:

Donor drives will be held May 15 from 3-9 p.m. at St. George's Church in Jeffersonville and 3-6 p.m. at Liberty High School. You can also obtain a typing kit for testing at home. Log on to http://www.dkmsamericas.org/.

Here's the contact information for both:

St. George's Church
97 Schoolhouse Hill Rd
Jeffersonville, NY 12748
(845) 482-4640

Liberty High School
125 Buckley St.
Liberty, NY 12754
(845) 292-5400

Labels: bone marrow drives, New York, US

The marrow drive is on the 30th, but—and this is really last-second—there's an information session today from noon to 1 p.m. From the UCSF Campus Calendar:

Wednesday, April 23, 12 –1pm, HSW 303 INFO SESSION Come for yummy Vietnamese sandwiches and information on being part of the Bone Marrow Drive scheduled for Wed. April 30. Bone marrow transplantation is used to treat cancers and other diseases. YOU can help! Sponsored by the AHC, VSA, KAHPSA, APAMSA, SNPhA and the Chancellor’s Endowment Fund.

Update: Registration is free for minorities; non-minorities may have to pay a fee. Click the graphic at left to download the event flyer as a PDF.

Labels: bone marrow drives, California, free registration, minority donors, US

Throughout this week, CURE is hosting a bone marrow drive at Penn. From the Daily Pennsylvanian:

The registration process, which will take place all week on College Green, is simple, entailing only the completion of a form and cotton swabbing of the cheek for stem cell samples, Chan said. The group sends the samples to be tested for bone marrow type, and people who were tested are entered into a national registry.

Labels: bone marrow drives, Pennsylvania, US

A last-minute discovery. From the Ohio State University Events Calendar:

On April 23rd, the Mortar Board Senior Class Honorary will be hosting a Bone Marrow Donor Drive from 2-7 PM in Central Classrooms 226. With a quick swipe of your cheek cells you too can register as a donor.

Time: 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Area on Campus: Central Classrooms 226

Labels: bone marrow drives, Ohio, US

This information was passed on to me by Jan Albertie. Naval Air Station Lemoore in Lemoore, California is hosting a bone marrow drive on May 19 that is only open to, according to the C.W. Bill Young Department of Defense Marrow Donor Program, "all active duty military, their immediate dependents, DoD civilian employees, Coast Guard, National Guard, and Reservists, ages 18 to 60." As NAS Lemoore is an active-duty base, you would need permission from their coordinator to go.

The drive is at from 0930 to 1430, at the Navy Campus/Theater area.

Labels: bone marrow drives, California, US

Free registration at Harvard. From GoCrimson.com:

This Friday, April 25, the Harvard football team will coordinate the Harvard Football Bone Marrow Drive to capitalize on the opportunity of a lifetime – the opportunity to save a life.

From 2-5 p.m. at Harvard's Lavietes Pavilion, the football team invites everyone to be tested to see if they are able to donate. There is no cost to be tested and anyone can make a difference in a minimal amount of time.

Labels: bone marrow drives, free registration, Massachusetts, US

From the jus' ramblin' blog, news of a bone marrow drive being held in honour of a four-year-old who succumbed to cancer in November 1998:

I would like to encourage everyone that reads this if they are not already on the Register for Bone Marrow, please take a few minutes to do this. This coming Friday, April 25th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at our church, we are putting together a Bone Marrow Drive with the help of Mountain State Tumor Institute in Boise. The church is on the corner of Ustick and Batt Corner Road in Homedale/Wilder area. It will only take a few minutes and the only thing you have to do is fill out a few health questions and let them swab the inside of your mouth and then your name will be entered with your information into the National Register. If you cannot make it to this drive, you can also go to the Mountain States Tumor Institute in Boise and ask for Mark Allen and tell him you are doing this in memory or honor of Michael Aman Patrick.

A little digging revealed that the church in question is the Nazarene Church Homedale, 26515 Ustick Rd., Wilder, ID 83676, (208) 337-3151 or (800) 845-4624. The drive is from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Mountain States Tumor Institute (MSTI) can be found here.

Labels: bone marrow drives, Idaho, US

From the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle:

You can help by participating in the Cheyenne Day of Giving from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 9 at the Cheyenne-Kiwanis Community House in Lions Park.

Labels: bone marrow drives, US, Wyoming

Here's a reminder of the bone marrow registration drives we've reported on that are coming up over the next seven days:

April 20
Villanova, Pennsylvania - Villanova University
Chicago, Illinois - Crown Point High School
Seattle, Washington - Seattle Cherry Blossom And Japanese Cultural Festival
Tamuning, Guam - Guam Premier Outlets

April 22
San Marcos, Texas - Texas State University-San Marcos
Sacramento, California - Jerry's Paint & Supply
Berkeley, California - UC Berkeley
Moray, Scotland - Dr Gray's Hospital, Elgin
Bellingham, Washington - Western Washington University

April 23
San Marcos, Texas - Texas State University-San Marcos
Mundelein, Illinois - College of Lake County
Berkeley, California - UC Berkeley
Bellingham, Washington - Western Washington University

April 24
San Marcos, Texas - Texas State University-San Marcos
Bellingham, Washington - Western Washington University

April 26
Laconia, New Hampshire - First Free Will Baptist Church
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - Norris Homes Community Center

Labels: bone marrow drives, California, Guam, Illinois, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Texas, UK, US, Washington

From Newstreamz:

Internationally acclaimed bone marrow transplant expert Marcos de Lima will talk on “One Life at a Time: Putting Your Spare Stem Cells to Work,” at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 22, in Alkek Teaching Theater at Texas State University-San Marcos. The presentation is free to the public and is sponsored by McCoy’s Building Supplies and Wells Fargo Bank.

De Lima’s talk serves as the “kick-off” for a Texas State bone marrow donor drive on April 22-24. A dozen tables will dot the campus from the Health Professions Building to Old Main in order to register 2,000 bone marrow donors from the Texas State and San Marcos communities.

For more information, contact Angelika Wahl at (512) 245-2170.

Labels: bone marrow drives, Texas, US

This drive is part of Desi Dhamaka, the Pacific Northwest's largest South Asian cultural show, which is held at the Meany Theater. From The Daily:

In addition to the show, there is a planned bone marrow registration drive. According to the Puget Sound Blood Center, only 7 percent of the 6 million registered bone marrow donors are Asian or Pacific Islander. Patients from the same ethnic background as the donor are more likely to find a matching bone marrow type, making registration of ethnic minorities especially important.

Labels: bone marrow drives, minority donors, US, Washington

From The Chattanoogan:

With the support of friends and church members on site at Signal Crest United Methodist Church, Saturday, May 3, will be dedicated to collecting samples to be registered through the National Marrow Donor Program as well as donating blood to Blood Assurance of Chattanooga.

According to the National Marrow Donor Program, registering a sample includes gathering tissue from the inside of the cheek with a cotton swab. The sample is then sent to the NMDP bank and tested for tissue type to find a match for the patient. If the tissue types are compatible, the sample donor will be contacted for further testing of blood tissue match.

Labels: bone marrow drives, Tennessee, US

From The Citizen of Laconia:

The donor drive will be held on April 26 at the First Free Will Baptist Church on Main Street in Ashland.

In conjunction with the donor drive, a craft and bake sale has been organized. Jaquidth also hopes to set up a silent auction, though she is still looking for items to be donated. The idea being that the money raised would be split between helping fund Korey's medical bills and supporting DKMS Americas, which is the nonprofit organization that will be processing the new donors.

Jaquidth explained that becoming a donor is easy and painless; all it takes is about five minutes and a cotton swab of the cheek.

Anyone wishing to donate items for the silent action or to find out more about the drive contact Kathy Jaquidth by calling 968-3093.

Labels: bone marrow drives, New Hampshire, US

From WBKO:

The second annual Mya's Miracle Blood and Bone Marrow Drive will be held on May 5 at Diddle Arena in the Hall of Champions, from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Labels: bone marrow drives, Kentucky, US

Free for minorities, reduced cost ($25) otherwise. From Fremont Public Library...Let's Talk!:

A blood and bone marrow drive will be held at the College of Lake County on Wednesday, April 23. The drive is sponsored by the CLC Health Center and LifeSource and will be held from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Anderson Court, located in Building A on the Grayslake Campus, 19351 W. Washington St.

An oral swab is taken to determine if potential donors are a bone marrow match. There is a $25 charge for the blood marrow donation. Exempt from the fee are minority groups (Asian, Black, Latino, Middle Eastern, Native American), fire fighters, police officers and college students in health care fields.

Labels: bone marrow drives, free registration, Illinois, minority donors, reduced registration cost, US

From Temple Athletics:

The Temple football team will recruit potential donors for the National Marrow Donor Program Registry with a bone marrow screening session on Wednesday, April 16 at the Temple University's Howard Gittis Student Center (Room 200) from Noon to 5 p.m.

The screening involves a simple cheek swab and does not involve any needles or drawing of blood. It should take no more than 20 minutes for each person to register for the National Marrow Donor Program Registry and be tested.

Participants, who must be 18 to register, will receive free food, door prizes, entertainment by a disc jockey, and special guest appearances.

Who? You can save a life today!
What? Bone Marrow Drive
Where? Gittis Student Center - Room 200
When? Wed, April 16
How? All you need is 20 minutes and a cotton swab

Labels: bone marrow drives, Pennsylvania, US

From KCRA 3:

Drives are open to the public and there is no charge for minorities to register.

Tuesday, April 22
No time information available
Jerry's Paint & Supply
3358 Fulton Ave., Sacramento
916-483-4661

People can also go to any location of Bloodsource to sign up.

www.bloodsource.org
1-866-822-5663

Labels: bone marrow drives, California, free registration, minority donors, US

From KYW Newsradio:

Villanova [University] will hold their drive on Sunday April 20th at the Jake Nevin Field house from 1-4pm and it does not cost anything to get tested.

Labels: bone marrow drives, free registration, Pennsylvania, US

From Wittenburg University:

Wittenberg's Phi Kappa Psi fraternity is hosting a bone marrow drive from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday, April 15, in the Benham-Pence Student Center. Fraternity President Matt Wigton, class of 2009 from Lancaster, Ohio, was moved to organize the event when he and his brothers recently learned of Blake's leukemia diagnosis and the LaForce family's inability to find a suitable bone marrow donor due to his mixed ancestry.

Labels: bone marrow drives, minority donors, Ohio, US

From Erica Murray's blog:

Sunday, April 13
UC Davis (Veterans Memorial Theater)

Saturday, April 19, 2008 9:00am to 3:30pm
PALO ALTO, CA
95 Crescent Drive, Palo Alto, CA 94301
(right near highway 101)

Tues & Wed, April 22 & 23, 10:00-3:00
BERKELEY, CA
UC Berkeley, Upper Sproul and Campanille Esplanade

Saturday, June 14 9:00 - 4:30
LOS ANGELES, CA
Occidental College, 1600 Campus Rd. LA, CA 90041

Labels: bone marrow drives, California, US

I found this one late. Hopefully this will help at least one extra person get registered. From MyFox St. Louis:

The bone marrow drive takes place Saturday at Babler Elementary School, which is near Lafayette High School.

Labels: bone marrow drives, Missouri, US

Free registration, thanks to the efforts of Chris Morin. Although he's more than raised $11,000, he'll still need help defraying some of the costs. From the Post Tribune:

The bone marrow drive is simple. Anyone between 18 and 60 can go to Crown Point High School on April 20 and have their mouth swabbed.

On Saturday, at Crown Point High School, a fund-raiser will be held to help defray the cost of the bone marrow tests. Eight high school bands will play between 4 and 10 p.m. and there will be concessions and games for kids. The cost is $5.

Labels: bone marrow drives, free registration, Illinois, US

$30 registration for Caucasians, free for minorities. From the Grand Junction Free Press:

Anyone else willing to help Bryson or become a match for others can come to the DoubleTree Hotel, 743 Horizon Drive, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday to submit a cheek swab and enter their name on the National Marrow Donor Program Registry.

Labels: bone marrow drives, Colorado, free registration, minority donors, reduced registration cost, US

This drive at University of Pennsylvania is part of the same inter-school effort I mentioned last month. From Penn Football:

The Quakers will hold a bone marrow screening session on Sunday, April 13 from noon-3 p.m. at The Palestra. The team’s goal is to screen 1,000 people, with the football players serving as volunteers at the testing.

The screening involves a simple cheek swab and does not involve any needles or drawing of blood.

Labels: bone marrow drives, Pennsylvania, US

Reduced registration costs for Caucasians ($25) and free registration for minorities at a drive happening in Las Vegas this afternoon. From KVBC News 3, the location and time:

Dean Allen Elementary
Multipurpose Room
Friday, April 11, 2008
2pm to 6pm
8680 W. Hammer Lane Las Vegas, NV 89129

Labels: bone marrow drives, free registration, minority donors, Nevada, reduced registration cost, US

News on a free bone marrow drive from the Sun News. Jolie Tirado, who found a compatible bone marrow donor, was diagnosed with AML the same day as I was, and started chemotherapy three days later than I did. The drive is part of a larger event:

And while Jolie's healthy recovery is the most important thing, the Tirado family does face a mounting financial burden in the wake of her diagnosis. With the cost of her hospitalization, treatment, and procedure estimated at a half million dollars, the family will be facing out of pocket expenses in the tens of thousands of dollar range.

To help defray some of the costs as Jolie begins her long road to recovery, family and friends are organizing a benefit for the family. The event will be held on Sunday, April 27 at Infant of Prague Church in Cheektowaga from 1 to 7 p.m.

Organizers of the benefit are still in need of donations and baskets for the Chinese auction. Anyone willing to make a donation can contact Lori Tirado at 228-4728. Individuals who wish to make a cash contribution can make checks payable to "The Benefit for Jolie Tirado."

Most importantly, the event will include a free bone marrow registry drive conducted by the National Bone Marrow Registry. This will give people the chance to join the registry and potentially save a life. The sample is taken by a cotton swab inside your mouth. It is painless, free, and as Jolie points out, it was her donor's decision to join the registry that may have saved her life.

Labels: bone marrow drives, free registration, New York, US

I just found out about a drive at University of Connecticut that started on Wednesday. From the Daily Campus:

There will be a blood drive hosted by the Red Cross and a bone marrow drive hosted by the organization Save Giovanni's Friends in the North Reading Room of Wilbur Cross this week from today until Friday, starting at 11 a.m. and lasting until 4:30 p.m. each day.

Labels: bone marrow drives, Connecticut, US

From the Rutland Herald, news of a bone marrow drive where it's free to register:

Rutland Regional Medical Center will host a donor registration drive Wednesday at the Statehouse for the National Bone Marrow Program Registry.

The donor drive is set to start at noon and run to 6 p.m.

Donations will be accepted at the drive Wednesday to cover the $52 per person cost of the testing.

The hospital will also be hosting 10 other donor drives in May as part of "Thanks Mom," the National Marrow Donor Program's largest awareness campaign of the year.

Labels: bone marrow drives, free registration, US, Vermont

From St. Cloud State University's University Chronicle—free registering, just bring a photo ID:

This year the Daun Kendig Memorial Bone Marrow Drive will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 9, in the Atwood Ballroom.

The drive is conducted mainly to recruit college students, but people can come from the community to get on the registry.

For more information, contact Diana Rehling at 308-1693, dlrehling@stcloudstate.edu, or Maureen Flanders at flma0501@stcloudstate.edu.

Labels: bone marrow drives, free registration, Minnesota, US

The student-run Annual Alan Bukzin Memorial Bone Marrow Drive is the U.S.'s largest college bone marrow drive. The web page from last year's drive has more details about the organization, such as the fact that they've registered thousands of people in their 17-year history. The college's events page says this year's drive will take place on April 9 from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. in the University Center Chesapeake Rooms.

Labels: bone marrow drives, US, Virginia

From the North County Times:

Suzanne Penny's boutique in Carlsbad was designed to help women with cancer, but now Penny is in need of help herself.

The San Diego Blood Bank's Stem Cell Donor Center is holding a bone marrow drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 12, for Penny, who was diagnosed in January with an aggressive form of leukemia.

The bone marrow drive Saturday will be at the San Diego Blood Bank at 440 Upas Street, San Diego.

Labels: bone marrow drives, California, US

From the McDuffie Mirror:

A marrow drive will be held at Marshall Baptist Church from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., Saturday, April 19, in the fellowship hall.

Ms. McTier said there is a cost of joining the registry of $52 per donor. This cost covers the tissue-typing (HLA) and adding the donor to the registry. But Ms. McTier has received some community-matching funds which will reduce the cost to $25 per person. "We are praying for the remaining funds so our Marrow Donor Drive will be at no expense to each donor," she said.

Those who cannot be a donor are asked to consider making a contribution so that someone else can become a donor. Donations are tax-deductible.

Marshall is located at 436 Marshall Church Road, Thomson, GA 30824. For more information, visit www.marrow.org or call Karen McTier at 706-595-6325 (email kmctier@hughes.net).

Labels: bone marrow drives, Georgia, reduced registration cost, US

Just came across a link to the Puget Sound Blood Center, and found its Bone Marrow Drive Schedule page, which lists two drives in Seattle and three in Bellingham between April 11 and April 24. Don't forget that many National Marrow Donor Program donor centers in the U.S. have regular marrow drives, and that you can get a list of NMDP donor centers by state on our registries page.

Labels: bone marrow drives, US, Washington