#marrow.org

[harrowingmarrow]

Swabbing: not just for pirates anymore

Today was an interesting day. Agilent Technologies (my employer) and Amgen (Dianna's employer) both held on-site bone marrow registries today. The timing was a bit unfortunate, as I would have preferred to be at both but I'd already committed to going to one before I knew about the other.

Team Zeiner:

Amgenies and The Kim:

Sandy and Maureen:

Unreasonably cute kid shots:

A lot of people took time out of their busy day to get registered at both places. This is great news. Around 1/540 people in the marrow registry gets called on to donate marrow and give someone a second chance at life. These days, getting tested looks like this:

(note - I'd be shocked if this dude doesn't randomly mutter his HLA type in his sleep)

Combined the two drives added >100 new people in the Be The Match registry and that is a great thing. Special thanks to Deb, Cindy, Karen, Brendon, Christine and Kim the superrad cancer ninja for cobbling these together. 

You are stars of the rock and roll music.

For those who couldn't attend, you can get a HLA typing kit mailed to you through a virtual marrow drive set up by my cousin Peter. Go here to register, then use the promo code "GZ2012". This virtual drive is open until 6/20/12. 

[oneupfordac-blog]

After answering a few questions, the kit will be sent directly to you. Just swab and stick it back in the mail. If the kit isn't automatically free upon registration, use Promo Code: PIF070109 to ensure that it is free. Time is of the essence, and we want everyone who enters to have the opportunity to be checked against David. So, if you or someone you know if planning to order this online kit, please do so as soon as possible. It takes approximately 8 weeks to be entered into the National Registry once they receive the swab back.

[sincerelybobajess]

It's time to do your part...

What if something like this happened to you? Or your family, friends, significant other?? Wouldn't you want to do everything in your power to help them? This girl's gone through 9 rounds of chemotherapy and only has 2 months to live. If you haven't watched her plea on youtube, it's heart wrenching. NO ONE should have to go through this. If you haven't registered in the bone marrow registry, I highly encourage you to consider it. It's free and painless. All it takes is a simple cheek swab. Even if you do end up being called on for a transplant, the pain will be nothing compared to the joy you will gain from saving someone's life. This isn't the time to ignore this issue, it's time to step up and help your fellow mankind.  www.marrow.org to sign up and receive a kit  www.aadp.org for a list of marrow drives in Norcal  Lastly, please keep Janet in your prayers, and all those like her who are suffering and fighting for their lives. The power of prayer is incredible and I believe that with all of our support, she WILL find her perfect match. I mean...miracles do happen, right?