There are thousands of patients with life threatening diseases like leukemia, lymphoma, and cancer who have undergone chemotherapy or radiation that severely compromises the immune system and destroys diseased bone marrow. It’s common to believe that these patients can rely on family members to donate marrow, but the truth is that over seventy percent of them do not have a relative that is a match. But you might be! So, join the 9 million others (including Desert Springs’ own CMA, Marci) who have registered to donate marrow and are taking strides to provide many people with a better chance at life. Here’s how to get started:

1. Register as a Donor

Registering is easy.You can either register online at www.BeTheMatch.org or, if you live in the United States, you can register at a Be The Match registry (click HERE to find a location near you).The online registration process takes about 10 minutes and the questions are similar to those asked when you give blood. Once you receive your kit, take a few minutes to swab the inside of your cheek, and send it off to get tested. Easy peasey!

2. Spread the Word and Contribute

Now that you’re registed, there is still more you can do to help. Donors are always needed, so educate your friends and family, hold a marrow drive, or donate monetarily to Be The Match.

Obviously, this cause is close to the heart of Desert Springs Cancer Care. Without bone marrow donations, many patients like those we see everyday wouldn’t get a second chance.

Questions about becoming a donor and what it might entail? Visit www.BeTheMatch.org or ask one of our DOCTORS.