<p>You do not have to give your SSN to register. I think this is a very worthy cause – at one time several years ago I did some project management work for this organization. And (like blood donations), there is no substitute for a human being’s bone marrow donation to save someone’s life. If it were my child or parent or sibling or friend who needed it, I hope someone who matches them would have taken the time to register and be willing to endure some inconvenience and small discomfort to save their life. I understand checking out the risks, the OP’s questions are legitimate. But I find some of the reasons for not registering (or wanting to be registered any more) to be quite petty in light of the consequences for a patient who does not find a donor.</p>
<p>My late husband was a bone marrow recipient. His sister was the donor.</p>
<p>They took the marrow traditionally (this was 1997). She was sore for a few days (maybe a week), but recovered.</p>
<p>Had she not donated, my youngest son would have no memory of his father. It gave him two more years.</p>
<p><em>hugs</em></p>
<p>I’ve been in the registry a long time. I was a preliminary (not final) match and sent in a cheek swab a few years ago to update the info they have on me, so now they have my most up to date type info - plus this helped me get them my email address and cell phone number. I would donate if needed. (My daughter is in the registry too.)</p>
<p>I was tested and put on the registry over 20 years ago because a dear friend’s mom was in need of a donor. I had pretty much forgotten that, though.</p>
<p>Thanks to this discussion, I went to the registry and updated the info as we have moved since that time. I only wish I could have the opportunity to help someone in this way.</p>
<p>The American Red Cross calls me weekly until I donate, if I am overdue to donate blood. Sometimes I am simply too busy that week to go in, or getting over a bug or a variety of reasons - and I always feel guilty about it. I usually try to go every two months, but work and family obligations get in the way. </p>
<p>They couldn’t be nicer. Their jobs are to help save peoples lives. They call to remind me of the urgency of donating and aren’t trying to guilt me into it, just to remind me of the importance of my donation. </p>
<p>If people don’t want to be on the bone marrow donor registry or are, and have a reason why they can’t donate, I understand both the guilt that they may feel and the pressure that might be put on them to participate. </p>
<p>Unless there was a truly compelling reason why I couldn’t donate and it would compromise my health, I would absolutely in a heart beat donate blood marrow. Even with the old style procedure. I would also donate a kidney to a family member or a friend who needed one if I had the right type, although I am not there yet for a stranger. </p>
<p>Most of us want to help. There are different degrees of how we feel comfortable doing that. </p>
<p>When my son was a baby he had a significant health issue and spent some time in the hospital when he was a month old. The little baby girl in the next bed needed a transplant. They couldn’t find a donor - problem was that with a baby, you would need a cadaver organ because of size. It was heartbreaking to see that little girl who would most likely die if she didn’t get a transplant, soon. </p>
<p>It’s easy to be selfless when it’s easy and doesn’t inconvenience us all that much. It would be very difficult for me to stand by and know that I could have helped someone to save their life by donating my marrow. It’s really a personal decision to make.</p>
<p>UPDATE: today was my first Filgrastim injection - donation set for monday. I’m just trying to think of what to say in my letter to the anonymous recipient.</p>
<p>3bysmom, You are awesome! Please let us know how it goes. I’ll say a prayer for you and for the recipient.</p>
<p>way to go 3bysmom!!! What an indescribable gift. Prayers said here as well.</p>
<p>3bysmom, that’s wonderful! You are giving someone two precious gifts: the gift of hope & the gift of life. Thank you.</p>
<p>Wonderful news, 3bysmom! Thanks for sharing – your news and your marrow! I’m saying a prayer for you and the recipient.</p>
<p>Do talk to your doctor about this. You are going to have to undergo a complete physical, a bunch of tests as well telling them your medical history before you are approved as a match. If there are risk factors, you will be informed and very likely not permitted to donate.</p>
<p>cpt - already went through all of that over the last month! Unless the recipient takes a serious turn for the worse (close to, if not, fatal) we are all set for the donation on Monday. He has gone through the serious chemo that kills all of his bone marrow and is waiting in complete isolation for the donation to arrive. The reason why they do so much double checking right at the end is that if for some reason I ended being unable to donate at this point - he would most likely die.</p>
<p>What a wonderful gift you are giving to a person unknown to you. So very generous. I will keep you and the recipient in my prayers.</p>
<p>Hugs and Respect!! I am glad you decided to go for it.</p>
<p>My H has been called up twice for “close” matches, but never made the final cut. I’ve never been called. … and now we are aging out. Can’t donate after 60. humph.</p>
<p>You can put in your letter that there is a cloud of people called CC wishing the recipient and you the very best!</p>
<p>Prayers are with you! Keep us posted.</p>
<p>I hope it all works out for both you and the recipient. It is a very generous thing that you are doing.</p>
<p>^^^ Ditto, and thank you for doing this.</p>
<p>3bysmom, thinking of you today. I will be traveling tomorrow & will not have internet access for the next week, so I am sending you good wishes in advance for the BMT tomorrow.</p>
<p>Sending healing thoughts! I hope it goes well :)</p>
<p>I am all set! lots of energy coming my way from everyone (including all of you cc’ers!) feeling good (the injections were a non-event in my book, actually made me energized if a tiny bit achy). I will post tomorrow night to let you know how it went!</p>