Manifesto
On any given day there are about 7,500 Americans seeking a bone marrow donor. Yet only about 2% of our population is registered with the national bone marrow and stem cell donor registry. In other countries such as Germany it is very common to swab and join the network. They have it set up so citizens easily swab and join when they get a drivers license.
There is a lot of misconceptions about bone marrow donation. Today about 80% of donations are just peripheral stem cells. These are extracted through the blood in a process much like donating plasma. The other 20% is extracted from the back of the pelvis using a needle and general anesthesia. The entire process for donors is relatively painless with a bruise here or there, and this act of kindness and generosity is the only cure and the last resort for the patients receiving the transplant.
The prime donor is male age 18-25 but ages 18-55 may join the registry. Once someone is on the registry he remains on there until he ages out (61). This prime age range is why it is so important for college students to join the registry and save lives.
There is a lot of misconceptions about bone marrow donation. Today about 80% of donations are just peripheral stem cells. These are extracted through the blood in a process much like donating plasma. The other 20% is extracted from the back of the pelvis using a needle and general anesthesia. The entire process for donors is relatively painless with a bruise here or there, and this act of kindness and generosity is the only cure and the last resort for the patients receiving the transplant.
The prime donor is male age 18-25 but ages 18-55 may join the registry. Once someone is on the registry he remains on there until he ages out (61). This prime age range is why it is so important for college students to join the registry and save lives.