Join the "Be A Match" Registry

You can be a Hero--Let do this together!!

-          Get people to Join!  Joining the bone marrow registry is easy!  It’s so easy you don’t even have to leave the house.  Please share the following link on your blog and Facebook http://join.marrow.org/Virginia (use promo code: Virginia).  You fill out some information online (mostly contact information) then a cheek swab is sent to your home.  Swab your cheeks and send the swabs back.  Then you are eligible to be called if someone needs your help. Super Easy!

-          To join the registry, people need to be 18-44 years old and in good health.  Things that would disqualify you would be a cancer diagnosis, HIV, or any auto-immune disorder (MS, ALS, Crohns, CF, etc).

-          Dispel the Myths!  There are a lot of misunderstandings about being a bone marrow donor and the actual donation process.  I have attached a PDF with Myths v. Facts.  Most people think that bone marrow donation is extremely painful—I here to tell you that it’s not that bad.  75% of the time there donating marrow doesn’t invovle surgery—it’s like giving blood.  Also, Be The Match will never ask you to donate if there is not a patient on the other end.  If we need you it’s because there is someone who will die if they don’t get a donation.

-          Host a Drive!  If you want to get involved we can get together to set up a bone marrow drive.  These are done every day all over the country.  This is where we will set up a few tables at a church, school, community center, lodge and invite people to come and swab their checks to join the registry.  They are easy to set up and I can help you organize the drive.