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If you’re like me, you’ve already got so many passwords, PIN codes and ID numbers it’s hard to keep them all straight.  And now I've got another one.  Although I probably won’t commit this one to memory, it is one of the more meaningful ID numbers I’ve had.  It says that I’m a potential bone marrow donor.

When Roger went through his transplant we didn’t have to go to the donor bank; his brother was a good match and a willing donor.  But 70% of patients that need a transplant are not fortunate enough to have a  match within their own family; they depend on the national bone marrow registry.  We became friends with the families of several  leukemia patients while we were at the LDS hospital in Salt Lake City.  Along with the anxiety of having a critically ill loved one, they have the additional stress of waiting, and hoping to be matched with a donor. Knowing them as people makes us want to do anything we can to help.

It’s easy to begin the process of saving a life and, contrary to popular belief, being a donor is not that difficult to do, but, it is a big commitment and one that should not be entered into lightly.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll blog about what it's like to donate bone marrow and hear from guest bloggers about their choice to "be the match."  Roger and I are honored to be in the midst of real life angels who are ready, willing and able to save the life of a stranger.  

Stay tuned.

--Candi

The First Step is Easy.

1. Get your starter kit in the mail: an ID code and a few Q-tips.

2. Swab the inside of your cheek.

3. Use the postage-paid envelope to mail it in.