Home Bone marrow donation

[annadragon]

Hiya fellow PS''ers.
I have a friend who has been diagnosed with aplastic anemia. She is still weighing her treatment options but right now it appears she will go with chemo and then a bone marrow transplant. The problem... she has no donor, no blood relatives and will need to go on the list.
I don''t know if I would be a match for her and we no longer live in the same area but if there is any probability that I could be a match I want to find out. I''ve googled the subject but continually come up short with how I go about finding out this information.
Does anyone have information regarding this? Can you point me to some resources?

Thanks!

 

[meresal]

Here you go... this person was in the same exact situation.


http://ask.metafilter.com/63410/Where-to-get-bone-marrow-match-testing

ETA: It looks like contacting the oncologist that your friend is using is the best way. They should be able to provide you with the information you need.

 

[annadragon]

Meresal, thank you very much!

 

[MustangGal]

There was an organization doing a donor drive at the mall a few months ago. I don''t remember the name, but I went ahead and got on the list. They said the probability of matching someone was like 1/200,000, and only 25% of the time would it involve surgery for the donor, so I figured why not?

I would think your friend''s doctor could help you get screened, and I hope you''re a match!

 

[annadragon]

It is such a small chance, but it is a chance nevertheless.

 

[radiantquest]

I know that I am probably not going to be able to help your firend, but I just went to the Be A Match site and registered to become a donor. They said that my kit with the cheek swabs should arrive in about a week so soon I will be on the list and be able to help anyone that I can.

Spread the word as much as you can. I didn''t even know there was a service like that, if I didn''t know then many others don''t. The more people that know, the more will join and the more people can be saved.

Thank you.

 

[fisherofmengirly]

You can contact the hospital she has been (or will be) using, let them know you specifically want to be tested to see if you match with her, and they can get information as needed to the facility near you where you can test.

My mother in law had several relatives and friends who lived too far away to be tested at her hospital do that... it worked rather quickly, too.

(By doing that, you can still be on a donor list to help someone else out, if you so wished.)

What a great friend to be willing to share a part of you... even though the chances are slim, there''s still a chance and it''s such a wonderful gift to offer!

 

[annadragon]

Radiant that is an incredible act of good will on your part! I''m going the same route.
She hasn''t settled on a facility or hospital due to insurance snafus. She may have to travel across the country to get the care she needs. If I go ahead with the list I can already be typed, just in case. I have an event this weekend where I''m going to promote others sign up too.

 

[megumic]

Yes, go to http://join.marrow.org/4katie to get a kit.

This particular link is for a friend who is in need of a bone marrow match - in 14 million donors on the list, not one matches. All you have to do is provide some information and swab your cheek cells to get on the list! Even if you''re not a match for her, you might be a match for someone else. I encourage everyone to join and to take a look at her story on the Today Show.