Have you ever wanted to make a difference but not sure how you can?
Today there is a way you could make a difference and save a life...
Every days hundreds, maybe even thousands of searches are being done, trying to find a bone marrow donor for the children and adults in desperate need of a life saving transplant.
There are children with Leukemia, LCH, HLH, JXG, DBA, Aplastic Anemia, and many many other disorders who depend on the Be The Match registry to find a donor and save their lives. I personally know one child who has had a bone marrow transplant, and know of many many more through the internet.
So today, I ask each of you to visit
http://www.bethematch.org and learn about being a donor. If you live near a children's hospital you could go to their blood donation center and see if they have free registration. Many do.
And if you do become a donor, update your contact info and be willing to respond to the call.
The call, or email, could come at any time. If it comes, don't delay, respond. Go to the testing appointments, do the donation if you are the match. And 2 years down the road, if the family asks to meet their hero, meet them. Give that child (or adult) a hug, or something. Accept whatever they offer to you because they want to give you something to thank you for saving that person they love so dearly.
Joey will never be able to receive a bone marrow transplant, we know now that he would not survive it... his lungs are too damaged. But I do know of one LCH kiddo who likely needs one. I know of many HLH kiddos who need them, one right here close to home.
I'll tell you this... I am on that registry today. If that call comes I will donate. Because I know the fear of losing a child. Even if Joey is in the hospital, if that call comes, I will find a way to go to my donor center and do the testing and make the donation. And 2 years down the road I pray I could meet the family.
And if you are unable to be on the registry, if you are expecting a child, or planning on one, please remember to donate the cord blood. 20% of BMT kids get the BMT through cord blood donation!
