Friday, March 16, 2012

Donor Requirements

I just want to clarify-

When a person volunteers to be a bone marrow donor they cannot specify who they want to be the recipient.


This is what happens-
You sign up to be a donor-
they send you a kit, and you swab the inside of your cheek and send it back, and then they put you on the registry in case you are a good match for anyone needing a bone marrow transplant!
(Thank you Alison and D for clarifying this!)

The info then goes into a national registry.

When a match is found they contact the potential donor(maybe it will be you?).

The donor and recipient need to match in 8 different categories (not sure what they all are) however I do know one category is ethnicity.

So Abby needs a donor that is Asian, preferably Chinese, blood type B positive, and whatever else is in the list, needs to match.

The closer the match the more likely it will work.

If the donor and the recipient only match in some of the categories the chances of the bone marrow transplant working decrease significantly.

You can donate in hopes that it will go to Abby BUT if it is not Abby's life you are saving it may be someone elses.

It is really a worthwhile thing to do!

An exact match can potentially 

SAVE A LIFE!


Even a really good match can save a life! 


The donor has to be 18 yrs- 59 yrs old.


Usually they would check the family members first for a near match BUT since Abby is adopted that does not work for us.


Thank you to those of you that have inquired about donating, have prayed, have contacted others of asian decent, and have spread the word!


She is such a precious little girl and she is such a gift from God!




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