Delete Blood Cancer – Become A Donor Save A Life

As easy as one, two, three. Send in a swab and get into the bone marrow donor registry. YOU could save a life.

I became a donor because I was inspired by a young Leukemia fighter by the name of Hunter James. He was diagnosed when he was 7 and is turning 10 this Thursday! He is a warrior indeed and I ask for his birthday, YOU become a donor. You may be a match you may not be but if you are you could be the lucky one to save a life like Hunter's!

You may ask yoursself, "Why should I become a donor? Who is in need?". Thousands of patients with leukemia and other life-threatening diseases depend on finding matching donors who can save their life. Patients need donors who are a close genetic match. Even with a registry of millions, 6 out of 10 patients NEVER receive the lifesaving transplant they need. Donors of all ethnicities are needed if this is going to change this.

You also probably ask yourself, "what is bone marrow? Does donating cause pain?". A bone marrow transplant is a lifesaving treatment for people with leukemia, lymphoma and many other diseases. First, patients undergo chemotherapy and sometimes radiation to destroy their diseased marrow. Then a donor's healthy blood-forming stem cells are transfused directly into the patient's bloodstream, where they can begin to function and multiply. For a patient's body to accept these healthy cells, the patient needs a donor who is a close match. Seventy percent of patients cannot find a matching donor within their family and depend on the national registry to find an unrelated bone marrow donor. This bone marrow is crucial to the life of the patient. There are two ways to donate. The majority of donations do not involve surgery, nor involves pain.

And lastly, "How do I become a donor?". The first step to becoming a bone marrow donor is to register with DKMS. Become a registered donor for Hunter J! In honor of him truning 10 and fighting the biggest fight anyone could and doing it with strength and courage!

Love you Hunter! "Like" the Facebook page inspired by Hunter James! Think Orange