Enlisting hope

Saturday, October 23, 2010
Michelle Kimmell, Nevada, reads information about getting on the bone marrow registry and about what happens when a possible match is identified, before swabbing her own cheek for a cell sample to be sent to Be the Match and placed in a database used by health care professionals who are caring for those with illnesses that could be treated with a bone marrow donation. Kimmell said she'd always wanted to be on the registry, but hadn't had the opportunity before.

Ten seconds. That's about how long it takes to swab the inside of a prospective bone marrow donor's cheek for the required sample, a sample that could be the first step in saving a life.

It's a quick and easy process, but volunteers are quick to point out it's not a step that should be taken lightly -- those who decide to add their DNA to a bone marrow registry should know the facts and the risks before doing so and determine whether they're eligible to be a donor, first.

Volunteers from Be the Match bone marrow registry held a donor registration event, co-hosted by Nevada Regional Medical Center and St. Mary's Catholic Church, at the church on Oct. 14. Dozens of local people came to the event to learn more or to sign up for the registry. Most ended up joining the registry, a volunteer identified as Carol said; but some disqualified themselves after reviewing health screening questions affecting eligibility. Some had clearly already decided to get on the donor list before arriving; others took some convincing.

One donor, Michelle Kimmell, said it's something she's wanted to do "for a long time. But I didn't know of any one having one of these," registration events. Such events are a good way to join the registry, and those who wish to join in person can find a way to do so by visiting BeTheMatch.org. On this site, those interested also can ask that a donation kit be sent to them.

The first steps are entirely painless -- viewing a video containing information, asking questions if needed, answering a few health questions and signing a registration and consent form. Once they're ready to do so, donors swab the inside of their own cheeks to obtain the sample.

At this point, all that's happened is that the potential donor will be in the registry. Health care providers with patients in need of a bone marrow donations search the database to for a match for the patient. Then, the potential donor is contacted and asked to participate. The registered person can still decline.

Carol said that registered donors receive regular information about donor issues, changes or new developments. Some time -- really, any time -- in the future, the prospective donor could receive news they're a possible match for a patient.

"You might never be called. Or you might be called right away," Carol said.

After the call, another DNA sample is obtained to confirm the match, and the donor attends an information session, donates through a surgical or non-surgical means (a process similar to dialysis that draws blood from one arm, separates blood-forming cells and returns the donors own blood to the other arm.) Doctors request the type of donation. Then there's recovery from the donation process and follow-up support. All of these steps mean multiple appointments and can add up to 30 to 40 hours. Donors are not paid but also do not pay for the care related to donating.

Persons of every ethnicity and especially those of mixed ethnicity are encouraged to join the registry; but some health conditions would preclude people from joining. Some of these are: HIV or risk for HIV, hepatitis or risk for hepatitis, most forms of heart disease or cancer, chronic lung disease, recent back surgery or severe or ongoing back problems, autoimmune disorders, being an organ or marrow transplant recipient, significant obesity or current sleep apnea.

Those unable to donate can still help by becoming a volunteer, making a monetary donation or simply passing on information, volunteers said.

For more information, visit BeTheMatch.org.

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