Marrow Donor

Today I did something that made me feel very good about myself. I signed up to be a bone marrow donor. And talk about easy, I filled out a questionnaire, talked to a volunteer and then they took a cheek swap. I thought they'd need blood and I am not good with needles. But I thought if maybe some day I can help someone, then it would be worth it.

My boyfriend gives blood all the time. Like I said I have a bad thing with needles and when this didn't involve needles all the time, I said cool.

Did you know that 75% of bone marrow donations are now done like it would be when you give blood. No poking into your hip bone probably. Only 25% of bone marrow collections are done that way nowadays.

I watch a lot of medical shows on TV and I like the fact that maybe I can one day save someone. I am an organ donor, but that only happens after I'm dead. I like the thought of doing something while I'm living.

So I would like to recommend and ask that when the opportunity arises to be a bone marrow donor, do it. I was at the mall when I did it and it took maybe 5 - 10 minutes. But because my information is on file, or will be when they run all those test to make sure what type I am, maybe one day I'll get a call and they'll say that someone needs me.

Also something that I learned, it won't cost me anything. My insurance won't even be involved the only thing is time off work if I don't have vacation, but I have plenty of that so how simple would this be, and it could very well save someone's life.

They may never call me, but I am proud of myself for putting myself out there. I encourage everyone to do it.