I just noticed a thread on the London Marathon forum where a runner is planning raising money for the ANT this year. A very worthwhile cause (I know 3 people who have had marrow transplants), but fundraising is only half of the battle. They need as many people as possible to register their blood type to enable a match to be found for those waiting for transplants.
So, just to use the forum for good purpose, if anyone out there has considered registering but not got round to it, or has never considered it but might be prepared to do it, why not do it now?
All it takes initially is a blood sample. The Blood Transfusion Service in Scotland can take this when you give blood - I assume it is the same in England.
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The register desparately needs more donors, and preferably healthy males are the best - as they have more body mass. (i think)
If you can possibly save a life just by registering, and then some time in the future donating bone marrow....
Your chance to be a hero.
It's something I conveniently keep forgetting to inquire about when I give blood. Next time I promise.
Last time I gave blood they were really pushing the bone marrow donor register so it's really straight forward. www.blood.co.uk for more details
Just in case I can encourage anyone else.
Joining the register is such a good thing to do, and costs you nothing other than effort.
Been thinking about doing this since I last gave blood.
Sign up today.
Bone marrow donation is a very noble cause, and has the added benefit that you do not permanently lose what you give. Your marrow regenerates quickly, and the soreness from donation passes quickly too.
Please register if you can. It's important for leukaemic kids, because their lives can often be saved and a cure gained even with an incomplete match. And for adult onset leukaemia and haemapoetic disorders, it's even more important, because the tissue matching has to be exact in most cases - a very tough call, particularly for ethnic minority groups, but really for everybody.
Please go for it, if you can.
DC
On a broader note, I would like to encourage people to contact their MP's to push for 'presumed consent' in this country. At the moment you have to opt in to the system and after your death your relatives can veto organ donation. Presumed consent would greatly increase the number of organs (and other body tissues) available fot transplantation.
Almost everybody agrees with transplantation, but in recent years the number of transplants has declined - this year it is down by 15% on last year already.
I would be delighted to send you information on The Anthony Nolan Trust and becoming a potential life saving donor.
Well done for you all giving blood!
Bone marrow donation might be a bit sore after I expect
And the anaesthetic scsares me, but Id still do it
Michelle x
I did try registering when I was 32 - but cos I kept getting anaemic after giving blood they told me not to give blood and not to register. Sorry - can't help but feel guilty - but its not an excuse - its genuine
I've clearly missed something, but even a twit such as I can surmise you aren't well.
Look, I think this is a good idea.
In a nutshell, for those of us hard of thinking, how do we register?
Keep it simple I'm a bloke.
Websites and gadgets a re OK, otherwise short words appreciated.
Blokes should definately be signing up as they say they are always short of male donors.
Also, don't forget to keep your details up to date with them as it can be years before you get asked (if ever). Not much use if you are a match but they can't contact you any more!
From their website : www.anthonynolan.org.uk
I'm 40, and considerably over 7st. Actually each leg is over 7 st.
Does this exclude me?
If so, how else to help? Would free advertising to my staff of 72 help?
Family members, particularly brothers and sisters, can make the best matches. However, this is not always possible and patients must hope that an unrelated volunteer donor will be found.
There are now some 319,000 people registered but we need more. Requirements to join the Register include:
Aged 18 - 40
In general good health - SEE HEALTH CRITERIA
Weigh over eight stone. Although in the case of donors from some ethnic groups this is lowered to 7.5st.
Women must not be pregnant
Women with children under the age of 12 months cannot join or donate marrow during that time
Health and circumstances permitting you stay on the Register until your 60th birthday, so don't be put off joining if you are close to 40, particularly if you are male.
We urge all eligible volunteers to come forward, but we have a specific clinical need to recruit more male, ethnic minority and mixed race volunteers.
In some cases we will accept male donors and those from ethnic groups up to the age of 43 and at the lower weight of 7st 7lb -please ask for details.
Next blood donor session on 26th October - i'll check again to see if they will take me, although i'm now over 40.
The National Blood Service accepts people for the bone marrow register up till their 45th birthday. After that you can stay on until you're 57.
Go on, go on. It was really easy.