So today I signed up for the national bone marrow registry. I filled out a short questionnaire and found out I was an eligible donor. It took about 10 minutes to fill out the application online. All you need is your social security number and a driver's license (if you have one, though it's not necessary).
At the end of the registration process you fill out your shipping information and they will send you a swab kit free of charge with return postage paid as well. Two weeks later your kit arrives in the mail. A quick swab- swab on the inside of your cheek and back in the mail it goes! Now your DNA is off to the lab where it will be archived for a possible future match!
Your bone marrow has the potential to save the life of someone suffering from leukemia, aplastic anemia, or some immune deficiency diseases. Now, donating bone marrow is not what it used to be. You think of them sticking a huge needle into your pelvis and sucking out some think red goo. NOPE! most of the time blood stem cells can be extracted directly from the blood stream and the process is quick an painless.
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