It's my 14th anniversary of being a bone marrow donor hopeful.  In May of 1997, I made the commitment to help save a life.  Unfortunately, because a donor match needs to be exact, I am still waiting for "that" call.

According to the National Bone Marrow Donor Program, for some patients with a life-threatening disease, a marrow donation from an unrelated donor may be their only hope.  People of every background are needed because tissue types are inherited and patients are most likely to match someone of their own race or ethnicity.  Doctors search the registry at the  National Marrow Donor Program for tissue that could be a possible match.

My view on the donation is that I may experience discomfort for a day or two, but will save a life.  Can you imagine the feeling that family would have knowing that their loved one will be around for another holiday, family birthday, or to watch their son, daughter or grandchildren graduate, get married, or start a family of their own?  I would be eternally grateful, if the situation was reversed.

Again, I've been on the registry for 14 years, and haven't been called yet.  But, I continue to hope that one day, I'll pick up the phone and be an exact match for someone who needs me.  If you feel the same way and would like to join the registry, it's easy!  Click the link, and thank you!

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