Pick Me!

Becky's in the bone marrow registry.

I feel honored and privileged to contribute to The Bone Marrow Boogie blog!  I consider this to be one of the most exceptional and inspirational blogs that I have encountered.  I commend Candi for the organization, execution and downright amazing creativity it took to make it so top-notch.

Candi asked me to write about my decision to become a bone marrow donor.  Clearly, the impetus for doing so was Roger.  A man whom I’ve never met but feel a strong connection with due to all the praying, worrying and reading the blog.  When I first learned of his need my immediate response was….pick me….I want to donate!  Just knowing that I could positively change the course of someone’s life and those of their loved ones motivated me to endure the prescribed procedure.   Thankfully for him he had access to DNA that aligned very nicely with his genetics – his brother.  Since I couldn’t be a donor to Roger I decided I wanted to be a donor for someone else.  The process to get registered for the national bone marrow registry is incredibly simple – EVERYONE should do it!  Below is the website address to register as a willing donor.  Shortly after that you will get a kit in the mail that includes three big Q-tips.  Swab the inside of your cheek and mail it back.  That’s it!

Your odds of becoming an actual donor to someone outside of your genetic family are 1 in 540.  If you get called, the procedure is routine and minor.  Simply put, the donor is placed under anesthesia and a needle is inserted into the back of the pelvic area where bone marrow is removed.  You wake up, you might feel slight discomfort, you go about your normal business, you alter the course of someone else’s life!  It’s a great deal – after all to give is to get!  

http://www.marrow.org/

Beckie Christiaens