Question: Any registered marrow donors? Have you donated?

[Solly Mack]

What was the experience like? (to include any ah... "slight discomfort"?)

I became a donor through this program. Military personnel participation in this program is high.

C.W. Bill Young DoD Marrow Donor Program

"The National Marrow Donor Program is the coordinating center in Minneapolis, MN with over 200 participating organizations, including donor centers, transplant centers, clinical and research laboratories for transplant matching. The NMDP provides a national coordinating center where patients can become matched with volunteers registered at donor centers, like the C.W. Bill Young/DoD Marrow Donor Center. This transplant therapy is used to treat as many as 70 different potentially fatal diseases that can be cured by replacement of diseased marrow from a healthy donor. If a volunteer matches a patient, they will be contacted by a staff member of the C.W.Bill Young/DoD Marrow Donor Center and they will receive extensive counseling and medical evaluation to ensure their desire to proceed with the process and that they are in good health.

The DoD has played a vital role in the development of this life-saving national program due to the established spirit of volunteerism of members within the Armed Forces. The C.W. Bill Young/DoD Marrow Donor Center is one of the largest in the world and provides the largest volume of life-saving marrow for patients throughout the world."

[trotsky]

1. I am registered, and was called in for a potential match once.

They took another blood sample to do a full typing, and unfortunately I was not a complete match. From what I have heard, the procedure leaves you with a pretty sore hip for a couple of days, but that's about it. What's kind of interesting is that the recipient not only gets your marrow, but also gets your entire immune system. If the situation ever came about, they could then receive one of your organs and never have to take anti-rejection drugs. Makes you wonder how we might tap into that mechanism to make those drugs unnecessary for everyone.

It's great you are registered. Hopefully we can get more people signed up and save more lives.

[Solly Mack]

2. Thanks, trotsky! A sore hip to save a life...not a bad exchange.

That is interesting!! Such a break-through in organ/tissue rejection would save a lot of lives.

[dropkickpa]

3. Would if I could

But I have a couple exclusions.

[Solly Mack]

5. I hope all is well!

[dropkickpa]

7. I'm good

But a latex allergy, autoimmune, and cancer history disqualify me. I do encourage people to become members in my place, though! I'll be allowed to donate blood again at the end of the month (have to wait 5 years from the cancer all clear to donate), so I'll be getting poked for a cause soon again!

[DS1]

4. My DNA is in the database due to the military

*knock on wood and all that* but my body is Rocky Balboa.

I entered my DNA into the public list about 3 years ago during a drive. If asked, I'll definitely go through the marrow harvesting to save someone.

[Solly Mack]

6. Thanks, DS1!!

It's a great program. I've been gathering as much firsthand information as I can. The more you know and all that...

Mister Solly Mack also became a donor..we made it a family affair.

[kdmorris]

8. I am registered, but have never been called

I would if they asked me to, though.

[Warpy]

9. They don't want my marrow, but I've taken care of donors and recipients

and trust me, it's far better to give than receive.

The procedure requires local anesthetic, only. It's not going to make your day and when the anesthetic wears off, it will hurt. The donor site is one of the pelvic bones, but they aim it so you'll be able to sit down after. Most people can get by with mild analgesics like Motrin, but make sure they give you a scrip for a mild narc like Vicodin just in case.

The discomfort lasts a couple of days and you'll know it's there for a few more days and then it's done and you can walk around in a haze of justifiable self righteousness because you might very well have just saved someone's life.

It's a good thing to do. If you can do it, please register.