National Marrow Donor Drive

Roswell Park Cancer Institute - Main Lobby

July 30, 2009 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM

• Marrow and blood cell transplants are used to treat leukemia, lymphoma and other life-threatening blood diseases.  Each year more than 30,000 children and adults will be diagnosed with diseases for which a bone marrow transplant is the only chance for cure.  Only 30% will find a matching donor within their family.

• You can help share life by becoming a bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) donor.

• A transplant involves replacing the patient’s bone marrow with healthy new blood forming cells.  Someone whose tissue type matches the patients must be found.

• How?  Meet the criteria to become a donor: Age between 18 – 60 years and

      No history of cancer, diabetes or heart problems.

• A simple swab of the inside of your cheek will give the necessary tissue typing information.  This is then put into the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) computerized registry that records individuals who have agreed to join the registry and potentially donate marrow or stem cells.  From here we are able to “match” potential donors with patients in need. 

• If you are found to be a match you will receive a call explaining the process for donating the marrow for the patient.  The donor does not have to travel to where the patient lives, as donation can be done locally.

• Donor screening is FREE at this drive, cost is covered by the National Marrow Donor Program..

• Please consider helping to save a life by becoming a donor.  If you have any questions or would like to volunteer to help please feel free to call the event coordinators Terrie Carbone at 845-8011 or Sue Paprocki of the National Marrow Donor Program at 1-888-298-6571 ext 101 or www.marrow.org